California man accused of intentionally spreading HIV

SAN DIEGO, Calif.--A San Diego man is accused of intentionally infecting spreading HIV, and dozens of men say they were his victims, reports CBS News 8.

Thomas Guerra, 29, has been charged by the San Diego City Attorney's Office with one count of willfully exposing himself, as an infectious individual, to another person, but prosecutors say more charges may be added if more victims come forward.

The individual charge is a misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of six months and a $1,000 fine.

One man who spoke to CBS News 8 says he's come forward to warn others about the alleged actions of his ex, who also goes by the name Ashton Chavez.

"There's people that are being hurt, and people that still could be hurt. His behavior needs to stop," the man said.

He says he and Guerra dated for a year before he discovered shocking text messages on Guerra's cell phone.

"There's hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands, of text messages where he's talking about intentionally infecting people with HIV," he said. "Texts where he's stating he's negative to people then bragging to others about giving people his 'positive load.' It's crude, it's... I don't know how someone could treat another individual like that."

Photos show the couple's happier times.

"I was hours away from proposing to this individual. This is someone that I loved, I've loved his family, I've spent multiple holidays with his family, he's been home with me to my family. This is someone that I intended to spend the rest of my life with," he said.

CBS News 8 reports that the original accuser in the case is another man who once dated Guerra. The alleged victim has provided San Diego police with additional text messaging records that he hopes could prompt prosecutors to upgrade the case to a felony, punishable by up to eight years in prison.

CBS News 8 also spoke to the original complainant, and he says it's too early to speak, he wants the legal system to run its course.