Homosexual 'rapes' deaf, mute, retarded man

By WND Staff
Published July 18, 2004 at 9:19pm

A homosexual who had sex with a deaf, mute, mentally retarded man faces up to seven years in prison after being convicted by an Illinois jury.

Samuel Wheeler, 49, of Decatur, Ill., was found guilty of criminal transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

The Decatur Herald & Review reports Wheeler was arrested April 30 after having sex with a 23-year-old deaf and mute man whom police say is "mentally slow."

During the trial, Wheeler admitted engaging in sexual activity with the man, knowing he had tested positive for HIV. But he also claimed another recent test indicated he did not have HIV in his system.

The paper says there was no mention at trial if the victim contracted HIV, but a transfer of the virus was not necessary to show a crime had been committed.

Criminal transmission of HIV is a class-2 felony, punishable by three to seven years in prison, but State Attorney Scott Rueter could seek a longer a sentence due to Wheeler's criminal history.

Sentencing is slated for Aug. 26.