MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — A Tennessee dance teacher pleaded guilty to sex charges after authorities say he raped a student and exposed him to HIV.
According to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, John Conner III met the then 16-year-old boy on social media in 2015 and met up on several occasions to have unprotected sex. They even exchanged text messages about their sexual activities along with nude photos.
Soon after that, the teen joined the suspect’s dance team, the Infamous Dancerettes.
During that time, Conner failed to disclose his HIV status to the minor, authorities said. It wasn’t until several months after their first sexual encounter that the teen learned from another source that Conner was HIV positive. It was then that he finally revealed the abuse to his parents, stating he needed to go to the doctor for testing.
The tests came back positive, authorities said.
Conner was arrested and charged with criminal exposure to HIV, statutory rape by an authority figure and solicitation of a minor. His trial was set to begin this week, but he decided to plead guilty instead.
Conner has two other similiar cases pending.
- Marie Fredriksson, singer of pop duo Roxette, has died at 61
- Tuesday is National Lager Day
- ‘They’ named Merriam-Webster’s word of the year
- ‘Wheel of Fortune’ airs episodes featuring Vanna White hosting solo for first time
- Line that provides power for Ocracoke to go underground
For more stories like this that matter to you, click here to download the CBS 17 News app for free.
Watch live newscasts, get breaking news and sign up for push alerts – download now
