Man pleads guilty in HIV infections case

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Dexter, Missouri, man who admitted to exposing as many as 300 people to HIV has pleaded guilty.

David L. Mangum entered the plea of guilty to two counts of recklessly risking infection of another person of HIV on Tuesday at the Butler County Courthouse.

Stoddard County Prosecutor Russ Oliver said the state offered the plea after two witnesses decided not to testify against Mangum, reducing the number of counts from an original seven.

During the investigation, Dexter Police Detective Cory Mills interviewed alleged victims from Stoddard, Dunklin and other surrounding counties.

The first victim approached police Aug. 26, 2013, and said he had been lied to regarding Mangum's HIV status before their first sexual encounter in 2012. The two were in a relationship from November 2012 to June 2013.

While being interviewed by police, Mangum admitted to having tested positive for HIV in 2003. He claimed at the time to have had 300 partners since being tested -- 50 to 60 of whom he said were in Stoddard County.

When Mills asked why he had not disclosed his positive test to sexual partners, Mangum replied: "Fear of rejection."

In November 2013, Mangum requested a change of venue and judge. The case was assigned to Butler County, and Judge Michael Martin Pritchett was assigned to hear the case.

After having gone through several defense attorneys, Mangum was represented Tuesday by Erica Fox.

Mangum is scheduled to have his sentencing hearing July 21 in Poplar Bluff.