Nikko Briteramos

Nikko Briteramos (born June 22, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former Huron University basketball player who was unlawfully placed under custodial arrest in the Huron University communal shower area, interrogated and coerced into giving incriminating statements. Nikko Briteramos received national attention for being the first person arrested under a South Dakota law requiring that persons inform prospective sexual partners that they have a documented HIV diagnosis prior to sexual activity.

In April of 2002, Nikko Briteramos was arrested and ultimately indicted without either forensic evidence nor documentary evidence of probable cause. South Dakota Health Department officials subsequently conspired to cover-up an illegal seizure of person and unlawful custodial interrogation.[1] Nikko Briteramos became the central subject of wide-ranging ethical and philosophical debates regarding the unconstitutionality and illegitimacy of partner notification law.

The Beadle County Grand Jury failed to drop charges even after seeing that there was no legally admissible evidence only contradictory hearsay evidence. Worried for his client’s health and ability to get a fair trial, Nikko Briteramos’ newly acquired counsel James Koch recommended making a defensive guilty plea. Grand Jury Indictment Transcripts show a failure for South Dakota Health Department official Lori Wagers to produce both forensic evidence (exposure) and documentary evidence (knowledge of HIV status). After a couple of suspiciously timed interruptions and re-wording of questions by Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore, Lori Wagers inevitably went on to give a perjurious testimony. In addition to perjury, Grand Jury Indictment Transcripts indicate other government officials of interest for criminally conspiring to obstruct justice.[2][3]

In March 2002, he allegedly participated in a "Post 9-11" Red Cross" blood drive. Several weeks later he was informed by Red Cross officials that the donation that he gave was flagged for HIV. However, public health officials required he take 120 mile trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota in order to acquire more reliable evidence of HIV status. Noteworthy is the lack of laboratory documentation due to the inability of name-less laboratory documentation to meet basic criteria of proof of knowledge of HIV status; calling attention to an unconstitutional pattern of enforcement.[4].[5]

He pled guilty to one count of "Intentional Exposure to HIV" and received a suspended sentence of five years, 120 days in jail, and 200 hours community service plus fines. According to the plea deal he was to register for school where later found out that he had lost his scholarship. He was eventually arrested for violating the terms of his probation for having spent five hours in the registration process and tested positive for marijuana.[6][7] Briteramos spent 18 months in the South Dakota State Penitentiary.[8]

Following his release from prison, the 6 foot-9 inch Briteramos played in 2005-06 for Chicago State University. He was not drafted by the NBA in 2006.[9]

References
  1. "HIV positive college student sentenced for having unprotected sex with his girlfriend". Jet. 2002.
  2. John W. Fountain (1 May 2002). "After Arrest, Campus Queues for H.I.V. Tests". New York Times. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  3. Keith Boykin and E. Lynn Harris (2006). Beyond the Down Low:Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America. Da Capo Press. p. 269. ISBN 0786717041. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  4. JET magazine Vol. 102, No. 14 ISSN 0021-5996, Published by Johnson Publishing Company
  5. "HIV positive college student sentenced for having unprotected sex with his girlfriend". Jet. 2002.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2011-03-30.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. Notorious H.I.V.:the media spectacle of Nushawn Williams
  8. VIBE magazine Jul 2003 Vol. 11, No. 7 ISSN 1070-4701 Published by Vibe Media Group
  9. http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Nikko-Briteramos/Summary/13902
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