New charges filed in HIV data leak

Published 6:34 pm Friday, February 22, 2019

A Winchester man charged in Singapore with leaking the confidential information of more than 14,000 HIV patients is facing new federal charges in Kentucky. 

Mikhy Farrera-Brochez, 34, was arrested in Clark County December and charged with third-degree criminal trespassing for allegedly refusing to leave his mother’s property. According to court documents, it was the second time Brochez had been asked to leave the property, and he was arrested for third-degree criminal trespassing.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Farrera-Brochez was charged Friday with unlawful transfer of stolen identification documents and possession with intent to distribute those documents in violation of federal law. 

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The criminal complaint alleges that Farrera-Brochez illegally possessed and intended to distribute data containing sensitive medical and other identifying information, the press release states. 

“While living in the Eastern District of Kentucky, Farrera-Brochez sent links to the data from his email account to several news outlets,” according to the release. “He also sent emails to several government officials in Singapore containing line to the data.” 

According to Singapore media, Brochez and his husband, Ler Tek Siang, are both connected to the data leak.

In January, Singapore’s Health Ministry identified Brochez as the prime suspect in the case.

Brochez was deported in April 2018 after serving a 28-month prison term for drug and fraud charges, including falsifying a blood test.

Allegedly, Siang falsified Brochez’s blood test so he could work in Singapore as a lecturer. Singapore does not grant work permits to foreigners who are HIV positive.

According to Channel News Asia, Brochez said he contracted HIV after he was “gang-raped in prison” and claimed the government is interfering with the case.

The data leak reportedly included personal information of more than 14,000 people, both Singapore citizens and visiting foreigners, diagnosed with HIV between 1985 and December 2011.

Siang had access to the registry while he was the head of the National Public Health Unit.

Monday in Clark District Court, Judge Charles Hardin continued Brochez’s trial until March 4. He remains free on bond.

Farrera-Brochez is due in court at 11 a.m. Feb. 27 in Lexington. 

About Whitney Leggett

Whitney Leggett is managing editor of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. To contact her, email whitney.leggett@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0049.

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