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Updated: 6:53 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2012 | Posted: 6:52 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Convicted wrestler with HIV faces Butler County charges

By Denise G. Callahan

Staff Writer

A Butler County judge could tack on another three years to the 32 years Andre Davis is already serving for failing to tell his sexual partners he had tested positive for HIV.

The self proclaimed “Gangsta of Love” was charged with one second-degree felony count of felonious assault here, but Assistant Prosecutor Brad Buress said they dropped the charge to a lower felony as part of a plea deal.

“The victim was consulted and was in agreement with the plea reduction, for judicial economy,” he said. “That’s why we took the approach that we did. The victim was present at the plea hearing and I believe she will be present tomorrow to make a statement to the court.”

Davis, 30, was sentenced to 32 years in prison in Hamilton County last year after a jury convicted him on 14 counts of felonious assault.

The Hamilton County prosecutors said Davis violated state law by not telling or lying to a dozen sex partners about his HIV status. Davis, a former pro wrestler, used the stage names Gangsta of Love and Sweet Sexy Sensation.

Davis also faces nine counts of felonious assault in Warren County and is scheduled for trial in August. The Hamilton County judge never allowed the jury to know if Davis actually has HIV. Prosecutor David Fornshell said they knew the defense “made some hay about that” in the first trial, so they asked Judge Neal Bronson for permission to get a sample of Davis’ blood. Bronson agreed. Fornshell said they have been able to take advantage of knowing some of the defense trial strategy from the Cincinnati case.

“The issue was raised in Hamilton County in terms of the veracity of the tests,” he said. “From our perspective, it was something that we could go ahead and nail down after the fact, and take away an argument that they (the defense) presented.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or dcallahan@coxohio.com.

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