Former pro wrestler gets 32 years in prison for not warning sexual partners he was HIV positive

Andre Davis (left), once an independent pro wrestler based in Ohio who competed under the name Andre Heart, was sentenced to 32 years in prison this morning by a Hamilton Co., Ohio, judge for failing to warn 11 sexual partners that he was HIV positive. Davis’ defense? He was depressed, and addicted to sex.

“I could not turn away from sex,” Davis said. “My addiction started in high school. I loved women more than anything. When I lost my job, the addiction got worse. I neglected my children. I didn’t realize that until I was sitting in jail.”

“Sex addiction is probably the worst addiction you can have.”

Davis was convicted on 14 counts of felonious assault: Ohio law requires anyone who tests positive for HIV to reveal the information to a sexual contact.

Davis said he became depressed after a wrestling organization rescinded his license for testing HIV positive. He was also at one point being considered by the WWE as a referee, but was turned down because of his HIV results.

Davis read a statement to the judge. He said he felt his story has been one sided during the trial.

“The reason I hold my head high is because God allows me to,” Davis said.

Davis added his dream had always been to become a professional wrestler and worked all his life to achieve it.

“I wanted to travel the world but in the blink of an eye it was taken away,” said Davis. “I went into a very deep depression. I tried to fix all the problems myself. So I slipped deep into depression and turned to addictions.”

Regarding his HIV status, Davis said he was too scared to tell anyone.

“I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want it to get back to my family,” he said.

Davis also faces charges in two other Ohio counties, and prosecutors said they found hundreds of women’s names on his cell phone.

Davis tested positive for HIV in 2009, but continued wrestling through 2010, causing several of his opponents to test themselves for HIV, reported Dave Meltzer in April, 2011.

“Area referee Brandon Tolle noted that at least five area wrestlers are being tested because they worked bloody matches with him, and Tolle refereed bloody matches with him.”

***
Judge sentences Andre Davis to 32 years in prison for failing to tell sexual partners he had HIV [Kentucky Post]