A man who was previously locked up for transmitting HIV to his sexual partners was recently arrested after infecting a 15-year-old boy he reportedly raped, according to officials, reports the New York Post. 55-year-old John Dushan Cole of Michigan was apprehended on several charges last week after the minor’s family informed the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office last month. 

Sheriff Christopher Swanson,

“He is one of the most vile [predators] that I’ve seen. His grooming tactics were some of the best that I’ve seen, in the worst way.”

The man, formerly known as Johnny Peters, reportedly began grooming the teen last year in December after befriending the young boy’s family member at an event for the community. Text messages located on Cole’s phone revealed conversations between him and the minor. One message showed him offering the unidentified teen loads of cash. Cole has been accused of sexually abusing the victim as it began back in February after he was given consent by relatives to take the minor to a basketball game, officials say. 

The following month, he assaulted the boy again during a birthday party at a bowling alley. The boy was taken to the sheriff’s office by relatives to report the encounter. Officials said the boy had HIV. Amid the investigation, officials learned that Cole did time in the past for sexual offenses and changed his name after he was released from jail. Cole’s name was initially Johnny Peters. He was sentenced to 7 years back in 2013 for consciously transmitting HIV to his adult sexual partners. 

Officials are trying to learn if there were any other recent victims. According to The Post, Cole is currently behind bars as he faces a dozen charges including

“accosting a child for immoral purposes and knowingly engaging in intercourse with the intent to infect an uninformed partner with HIV.”

#Clique, what are your thoughts?