HIV Positive Offender Convicted of Raping Vulnerable Adult

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Major Crimes Unit and Elder Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man with HIV who raped a vulnerable adult. John Michael Perez-Cisneros, 57, pled guilty-as-charged to Rape and Criminal Exposure to HIV and received a sentence of eight years in prison without the possibility of parole.

In a plea colloquy before Judge Steve Sword, Assistant District Attorneys Andrea Kline and Sean McDermott explained to the Court that on October 6, 2018, the victim rode a KAT bus to a store in East Knoxville. The victim was eighteen-years-old at the time, but the victim has mental limitations giving him the cognitive abilities of a child. While at the bus station, Perez-Cisneros told the victim to get on a bus to go to Perez-Cisneros’ house, and the victim complied. While at the house, the two watched a children’s movie and ate ice cream. After the children’s movie ended, Perez-Cisneros raped the victim. After the sexual assault, the victim called his parents who notified law enforcement. Knox County Sheriff’s Office Detective Keith McFarland led the investigation which included a forensic interview of the victim at ChildHelp and DNA analysis linking Perez-Cisneros to the crime.

“Our role as prosecutors is to defend the public from predators, especially those who prey upon the vulnerable,” said DA Charme Allen.”Thanks to the bravery of this victim and the hard work of law enforcement, this perpetrator is now behind bars.”

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.