Police are seeking a man they say is HIV positive and raped a victim on North College Street last month.

             Statesboro Police Det. Tommy Brown posted a "bolo" (be on the lookout)  Feb. 15 for Jerry Devon Platt, 43, whom he said "is wanted for the rape that occurred at ... North College Street" Jan. 21.

            Platt was out on parole for several drug and weapons charges, and now faces rape charges as well as reckless conduct charges, as he is HIV positive and endangered the victim by possibly passing on the disease, Brown said.

            On the same night the rape occurred, Platt contacted his employer " and advised him he would not be in to work on the next day due to getting in some trouble," he said. "Jerry has not been seen  in Statesboro since."

            Measured at six feet tall, Platt weighs around 200 pounds, has a large build and light complexion, he said.

            Platt may be in Screven County, where his father lives, or could be in the Hinesville area, where his mother resides, Brown said.

            According to  the Georgia Department of Corrections Internet web site (www.dcor.state.ga.us) Platt has numerous drug and weapons charges in Long, Evans and Liberty County, including a burglary charge in 1982. He has served five prison sentences since 1983, and was out on parole for a life sentence, released from Telfair State Prison in Oct. 2005.

            "As with any other convicted felon, when making contact, use extreme caution," Brown said in the lookout he posted to other law enforcement agencies.

            Anyone with information on Platt's whereabouts is asked to call Brown at (912) 764-1542 or 764-9911. Any information will be held confidentially, he said.