Judge lets man in HIV exposure case go home pending trial

WASHINGTON — A 28-year-old Richmond man accused of having unprotected sex with two women despite knowing he had HIV can go home until his trial — with conditions.

In both cases, Daniel Cleaves met the women at bars in Bethesda, Maryland and, according to prosecutors, had unprotected sex even though he knew he was HIV positive. At a hearing in Rockville Monday, Cleaves’ attorney, Andrew V. Jezic, told the judge both cases happened during bouts of drinking after Cleaves “fell off the wagon.”

Prosecutors told the judge that Cleaves was a “serial offender” and that he’s being investigated for possible cases in Virginia.

Montgomery County Assistant State’s Attorney Jessica Hall says Cleaves is a threat to public safety.

Cleaves’s parents appeared in court, and his mother, Elizabeth Cleaves, told the judge that he would be monitored at home. She said she’d ordered both a drug detection and breathalyzer device to check on Cleaves’ substance abuse.

Judge Eugene Wolfe allowed Daniel Cleaves to go home but set a bond of $5,000 and ordered Cleaves to stay at home unless going to treatment or legal counseling. He can’t have contact with the victims or any other female older than age 14, nor can he be left home alone.

When his attorney asked if Cleaves could attend church with his family, the judge said he could not. Alcoholics Anonymous meetings could only be attended at the direction of Veterans Affairs counselors.

Cleaves is due in Court on Nov. 14 for the first case and Dec. 12 for the most recent. He also has a Nov. 3 trial date for unrelated charges of assault, disorderly conduct, indecent exposure and possession of a controlled substance.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up