Man Convicted For Not Divulging Aids Virus

Kerry “Steve” Thomas faces up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine after being convicted of not notifying a sex partner he has the virus that causes AIDS.

A five-woman, seven-man jury convicted Thomas, 32, a former Boise State University basketball player, after a three-day trial before 4th District Judge Deborah Bail. She scheduled sentencing for May 19.

A 26-year-old Boise cab driver awaiting a sex-change operation to become a female reported Thomas after having consensual sex with him in April 1996, then learning from a friend that he is HIV-positive. A blood test last year found the victim had not contracted the virus.

It is the second time Thomas, who found out he was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus in 1988, has faced the felony charge. He became the first person in Idaho charged with the crime in 1990.

In that case, up to 12 Treasure Valley women reported having sex with Thomas. He was prosecuted for five of those reported cases, but the charges were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea on one count of statutory rape.

He served 19 months in prison.