By Kate Jacobson
Sun Sentinel
PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man who said he has HIV bit a deputy during an arrest — taking out a chunk of his skin — outside of a Wellington bar, according to the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they arrested Jeffrey Switzer, 25, Monday.
According to an arrest report, Switzer was outside the Coachhouse Tavern, at 13410 South Shore Boulevard, at about 5 a.m. Employees at the establishment tried to get Switzer a cab but he refused and became aggressive, which prompted them to call deputies.
When deputies arrived, they struggled with Switzer to handcuff him and a fight broke out. During the struggle, Switzer bit a deputy in his arm, causing a deep cut that required five stitches, according to the report. Deputies said they saw Switzer spit out a chunk of skin from the deputy’s arm.
Switzer later told deputies that he is HIV positive, according to the report.
After he was detained, deputies discovered Switzer had also broken into a car that was parked at the bar.
Dr. Nabil El Sanadi, an emergency physician and CEO of Broward Health, said transmission of HIV from a bite is unlikely, but possible.
The risk of actually transmitting the disease depends on whether the HIV carrier has a “high viral load” and the severity of the bite.
Switzer is charged with battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, burglary and criminal mischief. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail on $26,000 bail.
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