LOCAL : Judge Drops AIDS Felony Count

A judge today dismissed a felony count against a convicted prostitute charged with continuing to ply his trade even though he had tested positive for AIDS. The case was the first such prosecution in Los Angeles County.

Acting on a defense request, Municipal Judge Rand Schrader dismissed the case against Demitri Santangelo, 29, of Hollywood at the conclusion of his preliminary hearing on grounds that he had not been properly advised about the new law.

Schrader found that, when sentencing Santangelo earlier this year for a misdemeanor prostitution conviction, Municipal Judge Jessica Silvers failed to advise him that the next time he was arrested for prostitution, the charge would be a felony because he had tested positive for AIDS.