Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Ohio authorities are searching for the clients of a sex worker who has been indicted for continuing to ply her trade after testing positive for HIV. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said the person in question learned they were infected in 2022 and has since had sex with at least 211 men. “This case could stem anywhere from Florida up the East Coast, but there are local individuals that we will be reaching out to,” Chief Deputy Mark Warden said, according to The Parkersburg News and Sentinel. “We want the citizens out there to understand that there will be a deputy sheriff reaching out to these individuals that we have numbers for. They’re not in trouble, this is public health awareness. This is not a scam.” Marietta/Belpre Health Department Administrator Barbara Bradley emphasized that the investigation is confidential and that the agency is a “judgement-free zone.” Officials are also encouraging the sexual partners of the woman’s clients to get tested.