Man charged with intentionally infecting women with HIV

An American man has been arrested and charged with deliberately infecting women with HIV

The man identified as Rudolph Smith reportedly meets the women on various dating apps and websites and engages them in unprotected sex.

The Frederick Police Department said 34-year-old Rudolph was taken into custody on Monday after a 21-month long investigation.
The Frederick Police Department received a tip-off in July 2017 that Smith was seeking out women on various apps and websites and having sexual relations with them, fully aware of his diagnosis.

The complaint came from a woman who said she tested positive for HIV after having sex with Smith, Frederick News-Post reported.

Police have so far identified and contacted three more alleged victims, who met Smith on Backpage and Bumble, as well as offline.

Smith was indicted by a Frederick County grand jury this week on four counts each of assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment and knowingly transferring HIV to another person.

Smith received his diagnosis in 2014 and he later confirmed his HIV status to detectives, Frederick News-Post reported citing a Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office press release.

Knowingly transferring or attempting to transfer HIV to another person carries a $2,500 fine and up to three years in prison.

Police have asked anyone who may have had a sexual relationship with Smith around or after July 2017 other potential victims to come forward.