Update: Suspect in Americus viral video case claims not to have HIV, made video out of anger

AMERICUS , Ga. (WALB) - The woman in a viral Facebook video told police that she does not have HIV and did the video out of anger, according to the Americus Police Department.

Brandi Yakeima Lasiter told police Tuesday that she made the video because she was angry at the people she named.

Lasiter provided documentation of a blood test from September 2018 that showed she was not HIV positive. Lasiter also voluntarily submitted to a current blood test, according to police.

The results of the test will determine what, if any, charges she may face in the incident, police said.

The Americus Police Department has not filed any charges against Laister but she was identified as a suspect in the case.

In the Facebook video, she stated she has HIV and named several people she had unprotected sex with.

Maj. Herman Lamar with the Americus Police Department said one of those named in the video has filed a harassing communications complaint.

“Communications or complaint, derogatory information about you, untrue information about you, those things of that nature,” said Lamar. “One of the individuals named in the video contacted the Americus Police Department and filed a harassing communications complaint."

WALB chose not to air the video to protect the identities of those named in the video.

WALB′s Bobby Poitevint has spoken with the victim who filed the complaint. He said he will comment on the case at a later time. WALB is not releasing his name because he is potentially a victim of a crime.

Pamela Kirkland, with the Georgia Department of Public Health’s West Central District, said she is not aware of any cases where someone intentionally transmitted the virus in the area. She said she hopes people know their status and communicate with their partners.

According to Georgia Department of Public Heath documents, there were 2,698 people diagnosed with HIV in 2017, which are the most recent statistics.

Georgia law uses a reckless conduct code to criminalize not letting your partner know your HIV status.

Georgia Code 16-5-60 outlines five situations where a person can be charged for not disclosing their status.

In addition to not telling your partner, if you know your status, you can be punished for donating blood or other bodily fluids.

Choosing not to disclose can also add the charge to prostitution and sodomy cases.

The code also punishes those who allow another to use a hypodermic needle or syringe they previously used.

All are considered felonies.

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