Has bond lowered so he can attend support program
A 34-year-old man accused of failing to tell his partner that he has AIDS had his bond lowered so that he could attend a program that helps heal and empower people living with the disease.
Lance Bartholomew was arrested in January 2014 after his boyfriend discovered paperwork showing that Bartholomew was being treated for AIDS. Though the two had a consensual relationship, Bartholomew hid his disease from his partner, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The victim later got tested and discovered that he was HIV positive.
In 1987, Louisiana passed a law that makes it a felony to expose someone to HIV without his or her consent. In order to be prosecuted for exposure, AIDS doesn’t have to be transmitted to the victim. Someone can be prosecuted for the crime if they know they have AIDS and have sexual contact with the victim or expose them to the disease through spitting, biting, throwing blood or other bodily substances.Bartholomew faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
The court recently lowered Bartholomew’s bond to $10,000 on the condition that he would attend the Project Lazarus program in New Orleans. The mission of Project Lazarus is to help heal and empower people living with HIV/AIDS by focusing on wellness, providing housing and offering support services.
Bartholomew will return to court in March.
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