Police: Man Tried To Sell HIV Infected Blood To Blood Bank

Boise Police confirm they’ve arrested Kyle Rich, 22, of Meridian, for knowingly attempting to sell HIV infected blood to a local blood bank. Police arrested Rich September 30th after they say his blood tested positive for HIV.

"This is the first time that this law has been broken with someone walking in and giving blood," said Lynn Hightower, Boise Police spokeswoman.

Rich appeared before court Monday afternoon to face the felony charge of "knowingly attempting to transfer bodily fluids infected with the HIV virus." If convicted, Rich could spend up to 15 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

Prior to this latest charge, prosecutors acknowledged in court Rich had a clean record.

Police tell Local 2 News they want the public to feel safe in the blood bank system and tests are required after any donation.

Rich donated his blood at a plasma center on Overland operated by Biomat USA, Inc., a chain owned by plasma products supplier Grifols. Eric Segal, the company’s vice president of operations, confirmed they discovered the problem during routine testing.

The FDA regulates all donors must get a physical, provide a medical history, and pass a drug screening before their blood is drawn and tested.

Biomat Vice President of Operations Eric Segal said during the interview process, new donors are asked personal questions that are designed to weed out those who may have Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, etc. He said Kyle Rich appears to have misled plasma center workers.

"He had to have lied. We question them eleven ways to Sunday before we let them donate," he said.

Segal said they send plasma donations to an Austin lab for antibody testing, and that’s where Rich’s blood tested positive for HIV. He said donations are usually sent through at least two more rounds of testing before they are considered healthy and useable.

Segal told Local 2 News the plasma they collect is used to make drugs and medicine, not for blood transfusions. Also, Biomat pay donors anywhere from $25 to $40 per visit, to compensate their time.

"The hard thing is being able to actually access people and educate them there’s a way that’s appropriate for them to protect themselves," he said.