The sentence for
Michael Johnson, the former college wrestler who had unprotected sex with numerous guys that he met on the Internet and mobile hook-up apps, and
was subsequently charged with (and found guility of) violating Missouri's draconian HIV criminalization statute has been released:
30 years in prison. Johnson
actually received multiple sentences of 30 years but the judge said he could serve them concurrently (at the same time).
St. Charles County Circuit Judge Jon Cunningham, who issued the sentence, told Johnson he had committed "very severe" crimes. Prosecutors said he didn't tell the partners he had HIV."The main thing is the profound effect your actions have had on the victims and their families," the judge said.Johnson was given 30 years on the most serious allegation and a total of 30.5 years on the four lesser charges. Those were the amounts of prison time recommended by the jury. Cunningham decided to have the terms on the lesser charges run concurrently with the 30-year sentence.
It should be noted that if Michael Johnson had been found guilty of
second-degree murder the sentence would be between 10 and 30 years!
Had Michael Johnson been convicted of second-degree murder in Missouri, the sentence would have been between 10 and 30 years. Forcible rape: no less than 5 years; Forcible rape if a weapon is used or serious physical injury results, it could be as little as 15 years. Forcible rape of a child under the age of 12 has a mandatory 30 years, the same sentence Michael Johnson got today. First degree statutory rape of a child under the age of 12 could get as little as 10 years.
The primary organization I know that is doing something about such unfair actions is
the Center for HIV Law and Policy.
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