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	HIV-Positive Man Accused of Sexual Battery on Teen By Jose Patino Girona Tampa Tribune August 11, 2009 http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/aug/11/111440/police-polk-man-hiv-sexually-assaulted-teen/news-breaking/ An HIV-positive man sexually battered a 13-year-old boy he mentored at an Auburndale Church, the Lakeland Police Department said Tuesday. Jere Michael Temple, 58, faces six counts of sexual battery and is being held at Polk County Jail with bail set at $1.25 million, said Jack Gillen, a spokesman for Lakeland police. Temple befriended the boy about six months ago at the Rainbow Promise Community Church, 1145 U.S. 92, Auburndale. Temple volunteered at the church in a youth mentoring program, and he became the youth's mentor. Shortly after meeting, the boy started staying on weekends at Temple's home, 1751 Alyssum Loop, Lakeland, where they performed sexual activities a number of times, Gillen said. The sexual acts were done without using contraceptives, Gillen said. Temple is also charged with engaging in sexual intercourse without disclosing an HIV infection. "We feel pretty strongly that this man convinced the child that the actions were OK," Gillen said. The boy eventually told his mother what was happening, Gillen said. The police have no knowledge whether other children were involved, but they continue to investigate the case. The case has also been referred to the Department of Children & Families to see whether the mother acted responsibly, Gillen said. Church pastor Karen Ducham said her heart aches for the boy. "Michael [Temple] is going to have a long road ahead of him," Ducham said, adding that Temple "will have to pay the price to society if due process says he did it." "We will be there to pastor after him and hope that he can work this out," she said. Police ask anyone with information on this case to contact Detective Sonny Polk at (863) 834-8981. Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.
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