Pierce Cotton, a 32-year-old officer with the Pensacola Police Department, is facing a felony charge for engaging in a sexual relationship without disclosing his HIV-positive status. Pierce Cotton is accused of violating a Florida Statute that makes it a crime for a person who knows they are HIV-positive to have sexual intercourse without first informing their partner and obtaining consent. The woman involved is a pregnant colleague of Pierce Cotton. According to sources, the mother of Pierce Cotton's first child warned the pregnant woman about his health after allegedly finding HIV medication among his belongings. Investigators obtained screenshots of text messages between the pregnant woman and Pierce Cotton. Pierce Cotton tested positive for HIV in July 2025, and the relationship started to form around the same time, becoming romantic by October. Pierce Cotton and the pregnant woman first had sex on October 14, 2025. According to investigators, Pierce Cotton did not disclose his HIV status for at least four months after the sexual relationship began. A search warrant was executed to obtain Pierce Cotton's medical records from the Florida Department of Health, confirming his diagnosis. The Pensacola Police Department has placed Pierce Cotton on administrative leave while an internal affairs investigation runs parallel to the criminal case. Pierce Cotton was arrested and later released on a $10,000 bond. If convicted of a third-degree felony, Pierce Cotton could face up to five years in prison.
In a separate case at Leicester Crown Court, Jahvine Kwamba, a 21-year-old prison officer, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office by engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate at HMP Fosse Way, Leicester, between February and June 2024. Jahvine Kwamba also pleaded guilty to a second charge of misconduct in public office for accepting money from two female relatives of the prisoner, Venera Sokolova and Zita Sokolova. Jahvine Kwamba pleaded guilty to unauthorised transmission of an image or sound from inside the jail. Jahvine Kwamba arranged a phone call between the inmate and the two women, who are the prisoner's mother and sister. Zita Sokolova and Venera Sokolova have previously admitted aiding banned communications in a prison. The case at Leicester Crown Court was adjourned for reports to be carried out before sentence on April 17. Recorder Collingwood Thomson KC warned Jahvine Kwamba she could be jailed. Jahvine Kwamba was released on bail after the hearing. Jahvine Kwamba will be sentenced on April 17, 2025, alongside the Sokolovas.
I'm sick. It's under control, and that's been proven. You can't contract it.
Sick with what?
I made sure I was safe so as to keep you from getting it. You and the baby can't get it from me.
As your counsel says, you are facing a custodial sentence, but there may be matters in the background that may assist the person who is sentencing you.