Aiexpress – A man, who gained notoriety in 2017 for intentionally spreading HIV, has returned to court to face fresh charges in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Isiah Benford, 39, was released from prison in 2023 after being convicted of six counts of battery by bodily waste in 2017 through a plea agreement. He received a 20-year prison sentence, with 10 years suspended, and was given credit for time served.
In 2017, the victims in the case were pleased with the verdict, according to Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt. They had opted to remain anonymous and did not want to go to trial.
Benford is now facing four new felony charges and two new misdemeanor counts as a result of an incident reported in October 2023 in which he allegedly broke a protection order in an act witnessed by the victim’s neighbor.
Burglary with a deadly weapon
A level 2 felony
Burglary resulting in bodily injury
A level 3 felony
Intimidation using a deadly weapon
A level 5 felony
Domestic battery committed in the presence of a child under 16 years old
A level 6 felony
Invasion of privacy
A class A misdemeanor
Criminal mischief
A class B misdemeanor
According to jail records, Benford has been in custody at Vigo County Jail since the October incident. Court documents indicate that Benford is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing concerning the charges mentioned above, as well as a probation violation hearing related to the 2017 case.
In the hearing, the court confirmed the trial date for the new charges as April 29. A court representative mentioned that Benford is currently detained on a $75,000 bond, without the option of paying 10% of it.
