Valley native accused of intentionally spreading HIV pleads no contest

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Valley native accused of intentionally spreading HIV pleaded no contest to violating a state health code.

Thomas Guerra changed his plea on Monday and now faces six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Guerra previously pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor health and safety violation that forbids anyone with a contagious, infectious or communicable disease from willfully exposing someone else to it.

His ex-boyfriend says the defendant intentionally deceived him about having HIV. He believes Guerra should spend more time in jail. "I don't think six months, which is what the statute currently states, is a maximum sentence. I don't think that's sufficient for the damage an HIV infection can cause to people," he said.

Guerra's former partners say they want him to spend his time in jail thinking about his actions and trying to make amends to anyone he hurt.