DENVER -- A man who prosecutors say is HIV-positive has been arrested on prostitution charges again.

Darren Garcia, 31, was arrested on a charge of prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS, police said.

Garcia was one of more than a dozen people arrested during a prostitution sting on Wednesday night.

Prostitution is a violation of a city ordinance, and the person is typically issued a city ticket. But prostitution with knowledge of AIDS or an HIV infection is a felony charge, punishable of up to three years in prison, prosecutors said.

Police said Garcia has eight prior arrests for solicitation, two of which have been for prostitution with the knowledge of AIDS.

"Thousands of people could be affected by this guy," said Lt. Aaron Sanchez, of the Denver Police Department. A prostitute "can turn 10-15, 20 tricks a night if you wanted."

In 2009, 7NEWS reported that Garcia has been arrested after prosecutors said a police officer saw him offer to perform sexual acts in exchange for $50. A judge sentenced him to six month in prison.

In 2007, he was arrested and charged with prostitution with knowledge of being HIV-infected. In that case, he pleaded guilty to attempted prostitution and was sentenced to 1 1/2 years in prison, which was the maximum sentence for a class 6 felony.

Colorado's law making prostitution with knowledge of HIV or AIDS illegal was enacted about 16 years ago to prevent a notorious Denver prostitute from spreading AIDS. That woman was eventually given a five-year prison sentence.

"If Garcia is convicted, this would be his third felony in less than ten years," said Lynn Kimbrough, of the Denver District Attorney's Office. "He would fall under the small habitual criminal provision."

That means he could face up to nine years in prison if convicted.