Man admits not telling women he had HIV

FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) - A Greenwood man pleaded guilty Wednesday to failing to tell two sexual partners that he has the AIDS virus.

But this may just have been the first of many court appearances for Tony Perkins.

Police now say they have confirmed 24 cases in which Perkins failed to tell sexual partners that he has the AIDS virus.

24-Hour News 8 spoke with Perkins as he walked into the Johnson County courthouse.

He seemed to blame his troubles on the media.

"The only thing I wanted was a normal relationship," Perkins said. "If you guys (reporters) teach people about this disease, then maybe I wouldn't have to lie and not tell them I had this."

When asked how many people he had victimized, Perkins said, "They're not victims. Nobody's got HIV. The only thing I did was not tell 'em because I wanted to have a relationship."

Perkins then walked into the courthouse, and pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to tell a sexual partner he has the AIDS virus.

Two of Perkins' former sexual partners were watching in court Wednesday.

"He did have a heart sometimes," said the woman who turned Perkins in. "I don't understand. I'm still not able to absorb all this yet. I have no idea. I don't know who he is. I thought I knew somebody for two years and I didn't."

"What did we do?" asked another woman who had a sexual relationship with Perkins. "What did any of us do? We did nothing. We tried to show him kindness and caring and this is what we get."

Police have three detectives working on Perkins' case, responding to calls from people who say they also may have been victimized.

Police are directing those potential victims to a clinic on West 10th Street in Indianapolis to be tested.

The woman who turned Perkins in hopes this is an eye-opener for others.

"I want this to open women's eyes that one-night stands women are lethal. Lethal injections is what I'm going to call this."

Perkins asked Judge Lance Hamner if it would be possible for him to get the death penalty for the crimes he had committed.

The judge told him no.

He faces six months to three years on each of the two counts.

Hamner revoked Perkins' bond, and set a trial date for June on the intimidation charge Perkins still faces.