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TREASURE ISLAND — They first met in Ybor City four years ago. Soon he and Shan Ortiz were an item.
"We kind of just clicked at the beginning," the other man said. "I learned to look up to him, to respect his opinion, to respect who he was.
"Who I thought he was."
That's because the 27-year-old man is now the victim in a criminal case filed against his former beau: Ortiz, 40, was charged Thursday with having sexual intercourse without disclosing that he has HIV.
Ortiz knew he had HIV, authorities said, but never told his former partner.
"The victim learned from mutual friends that Mr. Ortiz had been HIV-positive for almost 20 years," said Treasure Island Detective Trenton Taylor. "But (Ortiz) never disclosed that to the victim."
The victim's identity is being withheld by the St. Petersburg Times because of the nature of the allegation.
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The two men met in August 2006. Six months later, the victim moved out of state. They continued a long distance relationship. The victim visited Florida and they often traveled together.
In October 2009 the victim moved back to Florida to be with Ortiz. They got an apartment together in Treasure Island.
Even then the victim knew something wasn't right. Ortiz was seeing doctors and visiting hospitals. At first, Ortiz said he had diabetes, the victim said. But the victim suspected HIV and confronted Ortiz.
"He finally let me know that yes, it is HIV," the victim said.
He said Ortiz told him he had only contracted it within the past year. Their relationship fell apart. The victim moved out.
Then, in July 2010, two of Ortiz's friends told him that his former beau had been HIV-positive for 20 years.
"I was shocked, absolutely shocked," the victim said. "It seemed everybody knew but me."
• • •
Days later, the victim filed a complaint against Ortiz with Treasure Island police.
"I knew what he did was illegal," the victim said. "I knew what he did was wrong. I thought to myself:
" 'Do I let this go and do I let him do this to other people? Or do I stand up and be that person who could potentially save a life? Or multiple lives?' "
It took nearly a year to investigate the case, the detective said, and to assemble all the medical records the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office needed.
Ortiz was released Thursday night from the Pinellas jail on his own recognizance. Attorney Aaron Slavin said Ortiz will plead not guilty to the felony.
Ortiz also would not comment, the attorney said.
Police don't know if there are other victims. The victim has been repeatedly tested for HIV in the past year. The results were negative, but he still fears for his future.
"I have to be tested for the rest of my life," he said, "to be safe and to protect other people."
"This is what it's about. It's about protecting other people."
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