Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub is warning the public about a man who allegedly prostituted himself while knowing he had HIV.
Mark Andrew Kernan, 57, was arrested and charged with prostitution, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and criminal use of a communication facility.
Investigators believe Kernan had used his home on Yardley Commons in Yardley as a house of prostitution since at least Dec. 2017. They also say he previously lived in Philadelphia.
Kernan indicated to police that he knew he had HIV while prostituting himself, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Investigators also said it was not immediately clear how long he has been living with the virus.
“This is a public health issue,” Weintraub said. “We are not making morality judgments here. If you’ve had sexual contact with this man, seek a medical evaluation immediately."
Kernan posted on the website doublelist.com and advertised an “erotic male massage” in the Philadelphia area, investigators said.
The charges against Kernan stem from an incident that took place earlier in January, according to officials. Police say a man responded to one of Kernan’s posts and met him at his home. The man told investigators that Kernan provided him with drinks and narcotics that made him highly intoxicated, according to the criminal complaint. The man said he then engaged in sex acts with Kernan and an unknown third person while impaired.
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Under the direction of investigators, the man continued to communicate with Kernan who solicited him for a paid sexual encounter, officials said. Kernan allegedly agreed to provide several services, including sex and methamphetamine for $575.
Kernan was arraigned Wednesday with bail set at $500,000 unsecured.
