[Vision2020] Mubita article

[Kai Eiselein]

Hello all,
I have been asked to post the article I wrote about the Mubita case. So here 
it is:

By Kai Eiselein
Latah Eagle editor

Insulated by geography, Moscow and the Palouse have been largely insulated 
from many of the troubles of larger metropolitan areas.
That all changed with the arrest of Kanay Mubita December 7. Mubita, 31, has 
been charged with “Transfer of Bodily Fluid Which May Contain the HIV 
Virus”, which is a felony under Idaho code.
Originally charged with one count, six more women have come forward, 
alleging sexual contact with Mubita, bringing the total counts to seven in 
two separate cases. Three other women have made contact with Moscow Police, 
but have not made formal statements. Authorities have received information 
about nine other potential victims who have not contacted authorities.  All 
of the women are between the ages of 21 and 37 and are identified by 
initials only. Mubita faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a 
$15,000 fine on each count.
In a short interview at the Latah County Jail, where he is being held on a 
$20,000 bond, Mubita, who is divorced, denied the allegations, stating he 
didn’t even know some of the women. “ I don’t have unprotected sex,” he 
said. He went on to say he doesn’t engage in sex outside of a relationship. 
He also stated he always used a condom with his ex-girlfriend, who brought 
the original charge against him. Authorities say he stated he is the father 
of his ex-girlfriend’s child. Mubita said no paternity has been established. 
He said it was scheduled for later this month, but now he wants to postpone 
it until his legal battle is over.
Mubita stated he believes his ex-girlfriend is bringing the charge because 
of arguments they’ve had. He went on to say the NAACP had been contacted, 
because he feels he’s being singled out because he is black.
When authorities first contacted Mubita December 6 and questioned him about 
having been notified of his HIV status, he denied having been notified. And 
denied having sex with anyone but his ex-wife. While being interviewed by 
one officer, another called a health department official who stated Mubita 
had been informed several times of his HIV status. Police then asked him to 
make a written statement and he asked to go home and write it and they 
agreed.
The next day, police received a call from Mubita’s caseworker, who stated he 
was upset about Tuesday’s interview and asked them to check on him. When 
officers arrived at his home, he stated he had tested positive for HIV.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 20 at 9 a.m. before 
Magistrate William Hamlett. Charles Kovis, Latah County Public Defender, 
will represent Mubita.
The Moscow-North Central District Health Department is recommending 
confidential HIV counseling and testing to anyone who has had sexual contact 
with Mubita. If the initial test results are negative, testing should be 
repeated every three months until six after the last exposure.
According to a health department release, humans are the only reservoir for 
the HIV virus. Transmission occurs by sexual contact, sharing contaminated 
needles, transfusion of infected blood and blood products and by 
transplantation of infected organs and tissues.
Health care workers are required to report all cases to Public Health and an 
epidemiologist investigates each case. The epidemiologist then identifies 
and counsels any person who may have been exposed to the virus.