Crime & Safety
Bucks Co. Man Prostituted Knowing He Had HIV: DA
The DA's office says the Yardley man has used his home for prostitution since at least December 2017.
YARDLEY, PA — Authorities are warning the public after a Bucks County man was arrested on charges that he worked as a prostitute while he knew he was HIV-positive.
Mark Andrew Kernan, 57, of Yardley Commons in Yardley, was arraigned Wednesday on charges including prostitution, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and criminal use of a communication facility.
The Bucks County District Attorney's office says Kernan, who formerly lived in Philadelphia, has used his home for prostitution since at least December 2017. They say he told police that he knew he was living with the HIV virus at the time.
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"This is a public health issue. We are not making morality judgments here," District Attorney Matt Weintraub said in a news release. "If you've had sexual contact with this man, seek a medical evaluation immediately."
The DA's office said it was not immediately clear Thursday how long Kernan has been living with the virus.
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According to prosecutors, Kernan posted on the website doublelist.com, where he advertised "erotic male massage" in the Philadelphia area.
The criminal charges stem from an incident in early January in which a man told authorities he met with Kernan at his home in response to an online post. According to the complaint, the man was provided with drinks "that rendered him highly intoxicated" and given some kind of drugs smoked from a pipe.
While intoxicated, prosecutors say, he had sex with Kernan and an unknown third person.
Under the direction of investigators, the man continued to communicate with Kernan, during which time Kernan solicited him to come back for paid sex, according to prosecutors. They say Kernan agreed to provide services, including sex and methamphetamine, for $575.
District Judge Robert L. Wagner set bail for Kernan at $500,000 unsecured.
Anyone who believes they have been victimized by Kernan is asked to call Bucks County Detective Lt. Robert Gorman at 215-340-8141.
Photo courtesy Bucks County District Attorney's office
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