Another Missouri Man Gets 30 Years for 'Knowingly' Exposing Partners

A second Missouri man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for knowingly exposing his partners to HIV, according to ABC News.

David Lee Mangum, 39, who pled guilty to two counts of exposing sexual partners to HIV in June, was sentenced today in Poplar Bluff, Mo. He was charged after a male partner tested positive for HIV and reported it to police. 

Mangum originally claimed 300 sexual partners, mostly through hookups on Craigslist and with truck drivers, but later ammended the number to 12. He said that none of his partners knew his status, even though he has known he is HIV- positive since 2003. 

He also told the judge he had been in care from 2003 to 2009 but stopped receiving treatment when he moved to Stoddard County because he had no means of transportation. Judge Michael Pritchett questioned Mangum on ending his treatment. 

"You made the choice to not get treatment?" the judge asked. 

"Pretty much," said Mangum. 

"You realize you placed others at risk," Pritchet said. 

The prosecutor, Russ Oliver, asked for a long sentence because "sex offenders" like Mangum are at a high risk of offending again. Mangum's defense attorney Erica Fox, described Mangum as apologetic. 

Mangum's sentencing for exposing sexual partners to HIV is the second in Missouri this month. Early in July 23-year-old former college wrestler Michael L. Johnson was sentenced to 30 years for "recklessly exposing" his sexual partners to HIV, though in that case Johnson pleaded not guilty and told the court he informed his partners of his status.