BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Dexter, Mo., man has allegedly confessed to having sexual intercourse with hundreds of men without disclosing a positive HIV test that dates to 2003.

David Lee Mangum, 36, was arrested by the Dexter Police Department and charged by Stoddard County Prosecuting Attorney Russell Oliver with the Class A felony of knowingly infecting with HIV, which causes AIDS. The charge carries the possibility of life in prison.

If no one had been infected, the charge would have been a Class B felony of knowingly exposing to HIV.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed in Stoddard County court by Dexter police detective Cory Mills, on Aug. 26, a 28-year-old victim of Mangum was interviewed regarding the allegations.

The victim stated he wished to file a complaint against his former live-in partner, with whom he shared a romantic relationship. In July 2013, the victim received a positive HIV test from the Stoddard County Health Department. According to the affidavit, he said the virus had been transmitted by

Mangum.

The victim met Mangum through a Craigslist "men for men" ad. The two later met on Specialty Drive for sex. No protection was used in the encounter, according to the affidavit.

The victim said he questioned Mangum before the encounter regarding sexually transmitted diseases and was assured by Mangum there was no issue with STD.

Between Nov. 9 and June 2013, the two lived together in Dexter in two locations along South Elm Street. In December, the pair moved into an apartment on South Elm.

In June 2013, the victim ended his relationship with Mangum after learning he had been sleeping with other men. After the breakup, the victim received a call from Mangum's former roommate who stated that Mangum had tested positive for HIV in 2003.

The victim questioned Mangum, who admitted to a positive test in Texas in 2003. He also admitted to having more than 300 sexual partners since the test, according to the affidavit.

The victim stated in the 15 to 20 times he had sex with Mangum, no protection was used. On occasion, those encounters included a third male partner. Those names were provided to law enforcement as well.

Mangum was found by Mills on Aug. 26 and agreed to an interview.

In the interview, he admitted to the positive test and confirmed the figure of about 300 partners since the test.

He estimated he had between 50 to 60 partners in Stoddard County alone. Mangum provided several names of individuals with whom he had unprotected intercourse.

"Mangum admitted he never disclosed he had HIV to any of his sexual partners in Stoddard County," according to the affidavit.

When asked why he had not disclosed his positive test to sexual partners, he replied: "Fear of rejection."

Mangum provided records of a positive test from the Stoddard County Health Center.

Bond was set by Judge Stephen Mitchell at $250,000, cash only.

Oliver said he sees the case as a cause for concern.

"If any of those 300 individuals contracted the virus, all sexual partners of those victims have potentially been exposed," Oliver said. "First to prevent further spread of this horrible disease, any individual who may have been exposed should cease all sexual activity until they have been adequately tested for the virus."

Those who think they may have been exposed to HIV should go to the nearest hospital or health clinic. Those in Cape Girardeau County can call the health department at

335-7846.