An Arkansas man who intentionally contracted HIV with the intention of spreading the disease to others was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
According to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 25-year-old Stephen Koch pleaded guilty on Monday (June 4) to attempt to expose another person to HIV. Besides that plea, he also pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and eight counts of child pornography.
According to court records, Koch was initially just charged with drug crimes, but after a tip from a confidential informant, police discovered that he had been watching child pornography. Stuart Cearley, the chief deputy prosecutor, said police searched Koch’s computer and found text messages and other communications about his desire to infect himself with HIV.
The prosecutor informed Circuit Judge Robin Green, Koch was making plans to go on double dates to infect others with the disease.
“Just so I can get my brain around this, did I understand the state correctly; Mr. Koch intentionally contracted the HIV virus so he could then infect others?" judge Robin Green asked Cearly.
Koch indicated the that his actions were “self-destructive.” Alongside his sentence, he will have to register as a sex offender.
