A dishonored Air Force sergeant was sentenced up to eight years in prison for putting several sex partners at swinger parties at risk for HIV.

Tech Sgt. David Gutierrez was also ordered by the court martial judge on Wednesday that he be detestably discharged and put to the lowest recruitment rank while he serves out of his military imprisonment.

Earlier in the day, Lt. Col William Muldoon found him guilty on seven of eight counts of aggravated assault, including the violations he made when his commander ordered him to inform his partners about his HIV status and use condoms.

For having sex in front of others, Gutierrez was also convicted by the judge with indecent acts, as well as eight counts of adultery.

The airman, 43-years old, looked dejected when the judge handed down the sentence that will cost him his military medical benefits. Defense attorneys begged with the judge not to push through the punitive discharge that would remove his benefits.

Gutierrez said the possibility of a future without medical assistance scares him. He added that the cost of medicine is very expensive and he does not know if he can afford it.

The cost of HIV medication usually ranges from $1,700 to $1,800 per month, and patients infected with HIV spend $28,000 to $30,000 per year for their medical care, Dr. Donna Sweet testified.

She also added that without medical care, patients infected with the disease can die within 10 years. However, a 20-year-old person with HIV can live up to age 70 as long as they receive proper care and medical intervention.

But, Captain Sam Kidd said the sentence that the judge will hand down would “speak volumes” to the community. They hope that it will send the message that the military gives importance to the integrity of their service crews.