Marine Demoted for Not Revealing His AIDS Status
A Marine sergeant was demoted today to corporal and fined $600 for not disclosing during a dental visit that he had tested positive for the AIDS virus.
Sgt. John J. Roantes, 29, who pleaded guilty Tuesday, could have received up to 10 years in prison, a dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of all pay at his sentencing.
Roantes was accused of exposing a dental hygienist to the AIDS virus last year. Several witnesses said they feared for their lives when blood-tainted saliva sprayed around the room as the hygienist cleaned his teeth at a base facility.
Prosecutors said Roantes’ failure to tell the hygienist put her in danger of contracting the virus because she did not take the additional precautions called for when treating a patient who may have AIDS.
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