Criminal HIV Transmission Charge In Sexual Abuse Of Teen: Sheriff

WAUKEGAN, IL — A man who knew he was HIV-positive repeatedly had unprotected sex with a Lake County boy, according to the sheriff's office. The two began a relationship when the boy was 15 after meeting using a popular mobile dating app, police said.

A four-month investigation determined the boy contracted HIV from the man, a Waukegan resident 13 years his senior, who now faces four felony charges, the sheriff's office announced.

Marcus Davis, 29, of the 800 block of Greenwood Avenue, drove to the teen's Lake County home "on numerous occasions and engaged in sexual acts," according to Sgt. Chris Covelli. He said Davis would also pick the boy up and drive him back to his home in Waukegan, where they had sex.

The investigation began in June when the boy's parents learned their son had been sexually involved with Davis, Covelli said in a release. The parents contacted the Lake County sheriff's office and detectives opened an investigation.

Detectives learned Davis only informed the boy that he had HIV after the two had already engaged in unprotected sex several times, Covelli said.

According to state law, anyone who has unprotected sex with someone after becoming aware that they are infected with HIV commits criminal transmission of HIV.

Prosecutors Friday charged Davis with one count of criminal transmission of HIV and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to the sheriff's office. All four charges are punishable by up to seven years in prison. Davis was due in court Saturday for a bond hearing.