Man Sentenced for Knowingly Spreading HIV

WASHINGTON – A man who had sex with women and teenage girls without warning them he had the AIDS (search) virus was sent to prison Thursday by a judge who labeled him a "violent, self-absorbed outlaw."

Sundiata Basir (search), 34, was sentenced to 21 years and eight months by District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Robert I. Richter. The judge told Basir he "knowingly put uncountable people at grave risk."

Prosecutors said Basir learned he was HIV-positive (search) in January 1996 but had unprotected sex with several partners over the years, never telling them about his illness. When some of them asked, he lied.

Among the victims were a 15-year-old girl and Basir's wife, who was then 17. Basir pleaded guilty to first-degree child sexual abuse in the former case, and second degree cruelty to children in the latter. He also pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated assault in the case of a woman he had a long-term relationship with who later became HIV-positive.

Prosecutors said they were able to identify seven victims, but believe there may be others.