An Oklahoma City man is charged over the weekend with knowingly infecting multiple Black women with HIV, the potentially deadly virus that can lead to AIDS, Media Take Out has learned.
Ernest Lacour, 30, was arrested Thursday after three different women accused him of intentionally infecting them with HIV. Police believe that there are dozens of other potential victims.
Ernest is charged with three counts of knowingly engaging in conduct to transmit HIV. If convicted, Ernest faces up to 15 years in prison, Media Take Out confirmed.
One victim, who asked not to be identified spoke with FOX 25 News on Friday, said she is speaking out to warn other women to get tested for HIV. “It’s a deadly disease, but you can still live your life,” she said. “I don’t have AIDS and I still have a life to live.”
The woman claims that she and Ernest began having intimate relations in 2019. Shortly afterwards, the woman claims that she felt sick and went to the doctor who diagnosed her with HIV.
“I would just faint and pass out,” she said. “I would get so lightheaded that I would have these episodes and throw up for weeks.”
“It’s hard, like, mentally I’m crying and everything and how to cope with the medications and the treatment and everything, she continued”
According to court documents, police believe that Ernest may have infected at least two other women.
“I just want to tell everyone that they need to get tested and to be careful,” she said. “You never know who someone really is.”