HIV positive prostitute busted again; customers advised to get tested

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – Many people who have patronized prostitution from a woman who is reportedly known by police to have HIV may have to get tested to check their HIV status.

Misty Lee Harden, 34, of Chattanooga is now facing one count of aggravated prostitution; a charge that potentially could be upgraded to attempted murder.

She was arrested after police caught her performing oral sex on a man who was also charged with patronizing prostitution.

According to the arresting officer, police received an anonymous tip of possible prostitution activity inside a parked car in a store parking lot in the 1600 block of East 23rd Street. When an officer arrived on scene, he walked up on the car where he reportedly caught Harden in the act of performing oral sex on a customer who was exposed.

When Harden and her customer were questioned by police, her customer reportedly told the officer he didn’t know Harden, but that he picked her up in the 1900 block of Willow Street then gave her $20 to perform oral sex on him.

According to police, Harden is a known prostitute who is HIV positive. Because of her known HIV status, police have asked the Hamilton County General Session Court not to allow her to accept a plea deal.

Court records show, Harden has been arrested and convicted numerous times for prostitution. Several of her convictions include charges of prostitution near school zones.

News 12 paid a visit to Harden’s last known address in the Churchville neighborhood where several neighbors recognized her photo. Every person News 12 talked to said she was known as the neighborhood prostitute.

"Everyday she was out here. If she’s not getting out of a car or walking, everyday. Everyday. It’s no secret. Everybody in this neighborhood knew it," said one neighbor.

Although many folks throughout the Churchville area of Chattanooga said they were fully aware that Harden worked as a prostitute, no one knew she was HIV positive until News 12 broke the story.

"I’m glad you came down through here to do this. So everybody knows now to pretty much stay away from her," said one neighbor.

Harden’s arrest comes around the came time a woman in Nashville was arrested on an aggravated prostitution charge.

Rosanna L. Haskins, was arrested during an undercover prostitution sting. According to Metro Police, Haskins is well known prostitute who is HIV positive. Court records show she has several aggravated prostitution convictions in Davidson and Shelby Counties.

According to the Hamilton County Health Department, this is a good reason for everyone to know their HIV status.

"Knowing your HIV status is very important. We can offer free confidential testing here at the health department," said Lauri Tucker of the Hamilton County Health Department.

If any one has questions about getting tested, they can contact the Hamilton County Health Department.