Ohio sex worker allegedly exposed over 200 clients to HIV
Ohio sex worker allegedly exposed over 200 clients to HIV
Authorities in Ohio are urgently calling on individuals who may have had contact with Linda Leccesse to get tested for HIV. She’s a 30-year-old sex worker from Marietta. Leccesse is accused of knowingly exposing more than 200 clients to the virus since January 2022. This is according to a statement from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Leccesse operated primarily on Market Street in Marietta. Allegedly, she had contact with at least 211 clients over the past two years. Authorities believe the potentially infected individuals could be spread across the East Coast, from Florida to other states.
“This case could stem anywhere from Florida up the East Coast, but there are local individuals that we will be reaching out to,” said Chief Deputy Mark Warden in a press conference.
Law enforcement officials have begun reaching out to known clients of Leccesse to inform them of the situation. They are also urging anyone who may have had contact with her to come forward and get tested. Thus, emphasizing that this is a public health issue, not a criminal matter for the clients.
“They’re not in trouble; this is public-health awareness. This is not a scam,” Warden stressed.
The Marietta/Belpre Health Department is encouraging people to be “brutally honest” about any potential contact with Leccesse.
“Marietta/Belpre Health Department is a judgment-free zone with full confidentiality,” said Health Department Administrator Barbara Bradley.
She also noted that relatives and anyone who had sexual contact with Leccesse’s clients are also at risk.
Leccesse was arrested on May 13 for soliciting sex on Market Street. Following her arrest, it was revealed that she had been aware of her HIV-positive status for more than two years. She was subsequently indicted for engaging in solicitation after a positive HIV test, a third-degree felony.
Authorities continue to investigate and are working diligently to notify and assist those potentially affected.
Source: NY Post
Ohio sex worker allegedly exposed over 200 clients to HIV