TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — A Tallahassee man is behind bars after deputies say he had sex with a 16-year-old boy and failed to disclosed his HIV positive status.
According to court documents, Leon County deputies received a report that a man had been communicating with a 16-year-old boy on the Grindr dating app. The victim told deputies that the suspect had sent a sexual picture to him.
Deputies later identified the suspect as 33-year-old Stephen Speights.
The victim went on to tell deputies that he informed Speights that he was underage while they were chatting on the app. The pair continued communicating on the app and eventually, Speights brought the victim over to his home.
That's when the victim said they engaged in sexual activity.
During the investigation, deputies conducted an interview with Speights at the Leon County Sheriff's Office. Documents say during the interview, he admitted to sending the victim a sexual picture even though he knew the victim was underage.
Speights also admitted that he picked the victim up and drove him to his home to participate in sexual activity.
After the interview, deputies executed a search warrant of Speights' home. During the search, deputies found paperwork disclosing Speights' HIV positive status.
According to court documents, the victim said he was unaware of Speights' status. When deputies questioned Speights about his status, he refused to speak without an attorney.
Based on the evidence, Speights was arrested and transported to the Leon County Detention Facility on Wednesday. He is facing a series of charges including, sexual assault, cruelty toward a child and not informing partner of HIV status.
Speights' mugshot is unavailable because he is public records exempt.
