HIV-infected man lied to sex partner

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 32-year-old man infected with HIV has been charged for not telling a sexual partner about the virus.

The Kent County Sheriff's Department received Aug. 10 a complaint from the alleged victim who said he met Jeremy Merithew on adam4adam.com.

The two men met a day earlier at an apartment in Plainfield Township and had consensual sexual intercourse after Merithew assured the victim that he was HIV negative, police said.

The victim told police he later contacted Merithew under a different screen name and Merithew admitted he was HIV positive.

The Kent County Prosecutor's Office issued charges on Merithew for AIDS -- sexual penetration with uninformed partner, which is a four-year felony.

Merithew was arrested Wednesday and arraigned Thursday. He posted $5,000 bond and released from custody.

The Kent County Health Department is taking this health threat seriously and encourages HIV testing for anybody who believes they may have been exposed to Merithew, according to a news release.

KCHD provides quick, safe, anonymous and confidential testing. You can call 616.632.7171 for more information.
 
Any additional victims are also asked to call the Kent County Sheriff's Department at 616.632.6125.