Indiana man accused of knowingly spreading HIV to sexual partners

TERRE HAUTE, IN (KTRK) -- An Indiana man is accused of knowingly spreading HIV to his sexual partners.

Police booked Isiah Benford, 31, earlier this week on 16 new charges, WTWO-TV reports. Police have linked him to at least 11 partners, saying he knowingly infected them with HIV.

"In my almost nine years, I haven't seen anything quite like this, to this degree allegedly," said Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt. "If you know that you're infected with the disease, you are to inform anyone else that you might have interaction or encounter with."

Police say three of Benford's sexual partners are willing to testify. Benford says he's innocent.

"They lied, just like the detectives did," Benford told WTWO-TV.

Benford's trial is set to begin in December.