A Florida man is in custody after allegedly keeping his HIV-positive status a secret from his sexual partner during a months-long relationship.
Monti Ray Davis was arrested today by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Florida-Caribbean Regional US Marshal Task Force. He faces charges for failing to inform a sexual partner of his HIV status before engaging in sexual activity, which is required under Florida law.
The investigation began after the victim went to law enforcement to report her relationship with Davis, which lasted from January 2026 until mid-May. According to authorities, the woman stated that Davis never mentioned he was HIV-positive at any point while they were together.
The relationship ended on May 15, 2026, after Davis reportedly became increasingly controlling. Following the split, the victim began researching Davis’s criminal background. Her search revealed that Davis had already been charged and convicted on two separate occasions for the exact same offense: engaging in sexual activity without disclosing his HIV status to his partners.
When the victim confronted him about his past convictions, Davis admitted he had not disclosed his status. According to investigators, Davis told the victim he believed he had protected her by wearing a condom and taking his prescribed medication. However, the victim informed deputies that she had no knowledge of his medical status until after the relationship was over.
Under Florida law, individuals who know they are HIV-positive and have been informed that they can transmit the virus must notify their partners before any sexual activity occurs so that informed consent can be given.
Detectives established probable cause for Davis’s arrest after the victim provided a sworn statement. Following the arrest, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office issued a reminder to the public that transparency and informed consent are critical for protecting community health, and they are encouraging anyone who believes they may be in a similar situation to contact law enforcement.
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