He infected three women with the virus which causes AIDS.
Frederick, Md (KM) A Frederick man who knowingly transmitted the HIV virus to three women was sentenced on Friday. A Circuit Court Judge gave 30-years incarceration to Rudolph Jericho Smith, 37, but suspended all but nine years to serve. After he’s released, Smith will be on five years’ probation.
Frederick Police began an investigation in the summer of 2017 when three women said they believe they were infected by Smith with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Authorities spent considerable time determining that Smith was HIV positive, and he knew it, but continued to have unprotected sex without telling that to his partners.
On September 13th, 2019, Smith entered an Alford plea to three counts each of 2nd-degree assault and knowingly attempting to transmit the HIV virus. Under an Alford plea, the defendant doesn’t admit guilt, but acknowledges the state has enough evidence for a conviction.
“While HIV is not what it was 15-years ago with effective treatments that now exist, these victims will be impacted by this defendant’s actions for the rest of their lives,” says Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith in a statement commenting on the sentence.
Charlie Smith and Rudolph Jericho Smith are not related.
By Kevin McManus