Suspect in HIV exposure case arrested in Las Vegas

Kim Smith and Jace Radke

Monday, Nov. 29, 1999 | 11:35 a.m.

The Las Vegas Criminal Apprehension Team arrested an Arkansas man Saturday on warrants charging him with exposing three Arkansas women to the HIV virus.

Timothy Wayne Tillman, 35, was arrested about 3 p.m. at a Budget Suites, 1500 Stardust Road, Federal Bureau of Investigation spokesman Joe Dickey said.

Larry Jegley, prosecuting attorney for the 6th Judicial District of Arkansas, said authorities in Pulaski County, Ark., believe Tillman knowingly had sexual intercourse with at least three women despite the fact he has the virus that causes AIDS.

Tillman, a criminal defense attorney, was arrested in Sherwood, Ark., on Sept. 17, and released on a $25,000 bond. Additional state and federal warrants were issued for him after he allegedly removed an electronic monitoring device Sept. 29 and left the state.

Authorities received a tip Tillman was in Las Vegas and he was arrested within two hours, Little Rock, Ark., FBI Agent Brian Marshall said.

North Little Rock Police Sgt. Jim Scott said officers were pleased to hear of Tillman's arrest. His department had just begun talking with producers from "America's Most Wanted" television program for a possible segment on Tillman.

"We were really afraid he would keep doing this," Scott said.

It is unclear how long Tillman has been in Las Vegas, Dickey said.

Jegley said both the North Little Rock and Sherwood police departments are investigating further.

"We'll be looking at additional charges if the police bring us additional information, they are looking into some other things," Jegley said.

Knowingly exposing another person to the HIV virus is punishable by up to six years in prison, Jegley said.

Jegley said privacy laws prohibit him from discussing the medical conditions of the alleged victims.

Tillman has an initial court date set for Wednesday, Metro Police Lt. Marc Joseph said.