Police in Thailand have arrested an HIV-infected soldier Sgt. Maj. Jakkrit Khomsing who allegedly blackmailed and raped more than 70 teenage boys.

Police said in a statement that they received a complaint that Khomsing was using fake social media profiles on Facebook and the gay dating app Blued to win the trust of his victims.

Police Lt. Col. Nacharot Kaewpetch said the victims would send their nude photos to Khomsing before agreeing to meet him.

When they found out he was not who he pretended to be online, he would threaten to make their nude photos public if they refused to have sex with him.

Kaewpetch said police discovered medicine for treating HIV when they arrested the 43-year-old Khomsing at his home Wednesday in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen.

They said tests confirmed he was infected with HIV.

So far police have determined that Khomsing had more than 70 victims between the ages of 13 and 18.

“Even though the suspect is a soldier, this behavior — and I’ve consulted with army commanders — is a personal issue, not an organisational one,” police Maj. Gen. Surachate Hakparn said.

Police said they are widening their investigation and attempting to contact other victims who have not yet filed charges.

Police have so far charged Khomsing with six offenses, including sex with a minor under 15 with or without their consent, punishable by 4-20 years in prison.

Other charges are indecent assault of a minor under 15 using threats, punishable by up to 10 years in prison; separating a minor under 15 from their parents without reason, punishable by 3-15 years in prison; blackmail, punishable by up to 3 years in prison; and coercing minors to conduct inappropriate acts, punishable by up to three months in prison. (NAN)

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