He used several aliases, including the name Shyteek Johnson, under which he was jailed for a drug offense before he faced the HIV transmission charges.
Women quoted in news stories often pointed to Williams' ability to make them feel special and loved, even while exercising violent control over their actions.
"[7] The case also raised questions as to whether the state should continue to respect the anonymity of those who test positive for HIV.
Prior to the Williams case, health officials believed that publicizing the names of HIV-positive individuals would result in a reduction in HIV testing and subject HIV-positive individuals, particularly members of the gay community, to increased social stigma.
As a result of the Williams case, New York passed a law that mandated doctors and laboratories to report the names of individuals who test positive for HIV.
[8] In April 2010, New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo moved to block Williams' release from prison after 12 years and place him under civil confinement under a statute aimed at predatory sex offenders.