New charges for Indiana man convicted in HIV spreading case

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A man who first made headlines in 2017 after being charged for knowingly spreading HIV is back in court facing new charges.

Isiah Benford , 39, was released from prison in 2023 after being convicted of six counts of battery by bodily waste in 2017 by plea agreement . Benford was then sentenced to 20 years in prison, with 10 years suspended, and credit for time served.

In 2017, Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt said the verdict was an outcome that pleased the victims in the case as they had not wanted to go to trial in order to remain anonymous.

Previous Coverage

• Isiah Benford: What We Know So Far
• “Rumors, Rumors, Lies and Alibis”
• Plea Agreement Submitted
• Sentencing for HIV Suspect

Now, due to a situation reported in October 2023 in which Benford reportedly violated a protection order in an act that was witnessed by a neighbor of the victim, Benford faces four new felony charges and two new misdemeanor charges.

• Burglary with a deadly weapon
  • A level 2 felony
• Burglary resulting in bodily injury
  • A level 3 felony
• Intimidation using a deadly weapon
  • A level 5 felony
• Domestic battery committed in the presence of a child under 16 years old
  • A level 6 felony
• Invasion of privacy
  • A class A misdemeanor
• Criminal mischief
  • A class B misdemeanor

Jail logs indicate Benford has been held in the Vigo County Jail since the October incident. Court records show Benford is due in court Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing related to the above listed charges, and simultaneously a probation violation hearing related to the 2017 case.

During the hearing the trial date of April 29 was affirmed in regards to the new charges. A representative of the court said Benford is being held on $75,000 bond with no 10% allowed.

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