Man with HIV arrested for not telling sex partners

CARSON CITY, Mich. (WOOD) -- What started as a tip to health officials has led to a criminal investigation.

A man who is HIV positive has been arrested for not telling his sex partners and people he gave tattoos about his infection. Police in Carson City say the case is snowballing and the victim list keeps growing.

Investigators say Gerald Campbell Jr., 32, of Crystal, didn't inform four women before having sex with them, and potentially 20 others before giving them tattoos. Police say they are not sure if the tattoo needles Campbell used are dirty, but the implications are there.

"I wish that it would just go away," one victim told 24 Hour News 8. "I'm frustrated, angry that he couldn't say nothing to nobody about it."

The woman says she got a tattoo in July and just found out the man who gave it to her is Campbell. She said he never told her about his infection.

She is not alone.

"Sit there and watch them break down, watch family members break down. There's no words to describe it. It's undescribable (sic)," Carson City Police Chief Jeff Hilliker said.

Investigators say all these victims have been in the dark about Campbell having HIV. Not even his family knew.

"It's a surprise. I didn't know he had AIDS," said Campbell's grandmother.

Investigators have been learning more about Campbell who has a criminal record. He got out of prison last year after serving 15 years for assault with intent to murder.

Officials from area health departments were on a conference call Friday. They are now urging people who have come into contact with Campbell to call police and get tested for AIDS.

"I urge people to think they'll always pass it on. I suppose not every encounter is going to result in an infection but you're playing Russian roulette when you have sex with someone who is HIV positive," said Dr. Robert Graham of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department.

The Mid-Michigan District Health Department is urging anyone who may have had unprotected sex with Campbell to be tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. They can call (989) 831-3615 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule an appointment for a free, anonymous and confidential consultation.

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The Mid-Michigan District Health Department