About AIDS

Remember drug-dealer Nushawn Williams, who had unprotected sex with dozens of young women in upstate New York in 1998, despite knowing that he had HIV? In a little-noticed event, a New York state parole board recently denied parole to Williams, who is serving four to 12 years for second-degree rape, reckless endangerment, and selling drugs.

Upon learning that he had had unprotected intercourse with perhaps 48 women, at least 13 of whom tested HIV-positive, the media had a field day holding him up as the prototypical AIDS monster giving HIV to unsuspecting young women. In the ensuing panic, some 1,400 people in Chautauqua County, mostly young adults and teens, were tested for HIV after officials warned that any of Williams' sex or needle partners, or any partners of those people, etc., could have contracted HIV. And in the accompanying outrage, legislators across the country passed various laws, some ill-advised, regarding the interpersonal behaviors of people with HIV.

Interestingly, all the women were serious drug users, and most had traded sex with Williams for cocaine. While his behavior is inexcusable, one question was never answered in court: Did he infect any given woman, or did she get HIV elsewhere? Regardless, some of them openly continued to have unprotected sex, with at least three having babies within a year. Some do not disclose their HIV infection to new partners, and they have infected still more people. No legal action has been taken.

During his parole hearing, the panel observed that Williams was "devoid of virtually any appropriate insight" into his behavior; and that his "sexually perverse and predatory behavior . . . clearly illustrates [his] threat to public safety." He also has had "numerous disciplinary problems" in prison.

His sentence was astonishingly light, given the situation, but it resulted from a plea bargain; only three women would press charges. Williams will again be eligible for parole for another two years.