Male prostitute held in HIV case

Suspect allegedly admitted he was infected with AIDS

Marilyn Robinson, Special To The Rocky

Published July 18, 2007 at midnight

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A 27-year-old man who was posing as a woman when he was arrested by Denver police during a prostitution sting has been charged with prostitution with knowledge of being infected with HIV or AIDS.

Darren Garcia is being held in lieu of $50,000 bond on the felony charge.

If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.

According to a police probable-cause statement, officers were running a sting Thursday night because of community complaints when an undercover officer stopped at East Colfax Avenue and Josephine Street. Garcia climbed into the officer's car and offered to perform a sex act for $30, police said.

Garcia had long hair and makeup and was wearing an Avalanche jersey, according to authorities.

He allegedly told detectives he was infected with AIDS after he was taken into custody, said Lynn Kimbrough of the Denver district attorney's office.

Authorities said they couldn't discuss Garcia's medical history or verify his statement.

Garcia has had five previous prostitution cases in Denver County Court.

Records show he was sentenced to 45 days in jail and fined $999 in 2005 after he pleaded guilty to prostitution.

In 2004, one prostitution case was dismissed but in another he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 50 days in jail.

In 2003, he pleaded guilty to prostitution and received 90 days in jail. In 2002, he pleaded guilty to prostitution and got 10 days in jail and a $500 fine, records show.

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