Ex-Pensacola officer faces new HIV nondisclosure charges in ongoing case

A former Pensacola Police officer, Pierce Cotton, was arrested on two new charges of failing to disclose his HIV-positive status to a sexual partner, bringing the total to three charges. He was booked Friday by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and released on a $30,000 bond; Pensacola Police say he is no longer employed by the department. The first arrest occurred in March. Under Florida law, nondisclosure of HIV status during sex is a third-degree felony. The case includes details of a relationship that led to a pregnancy and messages Cotton allegedly sent about his condition.