Attorney General Griffin Announces Arrest of Faulkner County Couple for Fraud and Exploitation

Griffin: ‘It Is Heartbreaking That This Couple Would Prey On An Elderly Person In Need’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing the arrest of a Faulkner County married couple after an investigation by his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit:

“Robert Johnson, 58, and Tina Cates Johnson, 56, of Mayflower were arrested by the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office on charges related to their exploitation of an elderly victim. Tina Johnson took control of an elderly acquaintance’s finances last year under the auspices of helping the acquaintance move into an assisted living facility. But both Robert and Tina then used the victim’s money for various purchases, including a brand-new car and a brand-new RV.

“It is heartbreaking that this couple would prey on an elderly person in need for the couple’s own selfish gain. I am grateful to Special Agent Laura Glover in my office for her tireless work on this case, and I appreciate the invaluable assistance of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General and the Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office.”

Tina Johnson is charged with Exploitation of a Vulnerable Person, a Class B Felony, and Financial Identity Fraud, a Class B Felony. Robert Johnson is charged with Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person (Exploitation), a Class B Felony. Their cases will be prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Gabrielle Davis-Jones in cooperation with Carol Crews, Prosecuting Attorney for the Twentieth Judicial District of Arkansas.

To download a PDF of this release, click here.

Attorney General Griffin Wins Challenge to Biden Administration Rule that Gave Biological Males Access to Female Locker Rooms and Bathrooms

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after a federal court dismissed the Biden administration’s appeal of an injunction won by Griffin and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey:

“This lawsuit challenged a Biden administration rule that rewrote Title IX to give biological males access to women’s and girls’ locker rooms, bathrooms, and other areas that had previously been restricted based on biological sex. The vast majority of Americans disagree with Biden on this issue, believing instead that the safety of girls and women is paramount, and they should not be forced to share bathrooms and locker rooms with biological males.

“The recent order from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit dismisses the appeal by our opponents and preserves the preliminary injunction we won last July. I am grateful to the Trump administration for agreeing to dismiss the appeal, and for their broader commitment to restore common sense in how we approach this issue.”

To read a copy of the order, click here.

Attorney General Griffin announces 6 Medicaid fraud convictions and 1 civil settlement

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing six Medicaid fraud convictions and one civil settlement:

AR Attorney General Tim Griffin

“Protecting Arkansans from Medicaid fraud will continue to be a priority for my office. I want to recognize the outstanding work of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) for their unwavering dedication to protecting Arkansans. Their recent efforts have led to six convictions and one civil settlement. I specifically want to thank Special Agent Marcus Custer, Special Agent Brandon Muldrow, Special Agent Heath Nelson, Assistant Attorney General David Jones, Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson, Assistant Attorney General Gabrielle Davis-Jones, 23rd Judicial District Prosecutor Chuck Graham, and Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones for their work on these cases.”

Convictions

On March 11, 2025, Trey Franks, 28, of Jacksonville pleaded guilty to Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person (Exploitation), a Class ‘C’ Felony, and was sentenced to a five-year term of probation, and ordered to pay a $250 fine, court costs, and restitution in the amount of $867.89. Franks used an impaired person’s debit card to pay his credit card bills.

On March 10, 2025, Hannah Christmas, 34, of Hamburg pleaded guilty to Medicaid Fraud, a Class ‘B’ Felony, and was sentenced to a five-year term of probation, and ordered to pay a $1,500 fine, court costs, and restitution in the amount of $5,951.56. Christmas billed the Dermott, Hamburg, and Lakeside school districts for physical therapy services that were never rendered.

On March 6, 2025, MFCU fielded four surrenders on warrants and secured convictions for each one of them. Spencer Deral Smith, 23, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. Smith was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while the beneficiary was admitted as a patient at a local hospital. He was ordered to pay $1,242.50 in restitution, a $500 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months of Suspended Imposition Sentence (SIS).

Chavelia McCullum, 45, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. McCullum was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while on a cruise ship. She was ordered to pay $360 in restitution, a $200 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months’ SIS.

Letrell Damone Pettis, 39, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. Pettis was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while on a cruise ship. He was ordered to pay $630 in restitution, a $300 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months’ SIS.

Felicia Marie Johnson Davis, 36, of Paragould pleaded guilty to a Class ‘A’ Misdemeanor for Medicaid Fraud. She was convicted of billing for personal-care hours while she was working at her second job in another location. She was ordered to pay $412.50 in restitution, a $200 fine, court costs, and serve 12 months’ SIS.

Civil Settlement

MFCU entered a settlement agreement for $216,950.78 with No Limits Pediatric Therapies, PLLC, Unbridled Holdings, LLC, and owner Terrica Weatherford. The settlement resolved two Medicaid False Claims investigations for therapy services billed by the providers. Weatherford, No Limits, and Unbridled cooperated fully.

To download a PDF of this release, click here.

Consumer alert: Attorney General Griffin warns against home solicitation scams

Griffin: ‘Some Of These Sellers … Employ High-Pressure Sales Tactics And May Misrepresent What They Are Selling’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement warning Arkansans about scams related to door-to-door sales:

Doorway-Pexels Image

“With the arrival of warmer weather, Arkansans can expect to see more door-to-door sellers visiting their homes. Home solicitations include a wide range of products and services, including home improvement projects, home security systems, and solar panels. While some of these sellers are legitimate, others employ high-pressure sales tactics and may misrepresent what they are selling, including the benefits, costs, and terms of the products and services they offer.”

Arkansans can keep themselves safe from door-to-door scams following these tips:

• Always require proper identification from a salesperson before allowing him or her into your home, and ensure you understand the exact purpose of the visit and what company the salesperson represents.

• Some cities require that door-to-door salespersons obtain a permit before engaging in sales. Know your local ordinances.

• Take the time you need to fully evaluate any sales offer. Shopping around and conducting research is essential to ensure that the deal is legitimate. Be cautious if a salesperson pressures you to sign a contract immediately without taking time to think about the offer.

• Read the contract carefully and make sure it matches what the salesperson is telling you. Furthermore, make sure you get a copy of the contract.

• Do not allow a salesperson to install any product on the same day as the sale.

• Consumers in Arkansas have the right to cancel any home solicitation sale within three days of making a purchase. You have the right to cancel within that three-day window even if equipment is installed in your home.

• Be skeptical of “free” installation or equipment deals. Even if something is initially presented as free to entice you, you may end up paying for the product through expensive, long-term contracts.

Even diligent people can be scammed; however, knowing the warning signs and carefully evaluating the sales offer can help keep you safe from deceptive sales practices.

If you wish to file a complaint against with the Attorney General’s office, you can do so by contacting the Arkansas Attorney General’s office at (800) 482-8982, emailing consumer@arkansasag.gov, or visiting ArkansasAG.gov.

Attorney General Griffin joins 37 AGs urging Congress to increase penalties for organized retail crime

Griffin: ‘This Legislation We Are Asking Congress To Pass Will Help Us In Our Local Fight Against Organized Retail Crime’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after joining a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general on a letter urging Congress to create stiffer penalties for criminals engaged in organized retail crime:

“Arkansas has been a leader on organized retail crime for the past two years, and I have made it a priority in my office. Last year I hired a full-time organized retail crime investigator, and before that I joined with Homeland Security Investigations and several neighboring states to form an Organized Retail Crime Alliance. We’ve already seen multiple busts and arrests as a result of our focused efforts.

“This legislation we are asking Congress to pass will help us in our local fight against organized retail crime. The more tools we have in bringing these criminals to justice, the more success we will have in keeping our communities, our roadways, and our places of business safe, and the more we can prevent crimes that pass on costs to consumers.”

Organized retail crime has contributed to financial losses totaling over $121 billion in the U.S., and 76 percent of retail asset protection managers report their employees have suffered from violence at the hands of an organized retail criminal. Cargo theft remains a primary component of organized retail crime nationwide – disrupting supply chains and acting as an inflationary pressure on the price of everything from baby formula to clothing.

During the 118th Congress, the House and Senate introduced H.R.895/S.140 – Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 and S.139 – Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act of 2023. This legislation would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice. Now, the coalition is urging the 119th Congress to re-introduce this bill to include increased federal penalties for supply chain thefts to act as a strong deterrent against the organized theft of goods in transit.

The letter was co-led by attorneys general from Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina. In addition to Arkansas, joining them are the attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, and West Virginia.

To read the letter, click here.

Attorney General Griffin sues General Motors and OnStar for deceiving Arkansans and unlawfully selling data

Griffin: ‘We Will Hold GM Accountable For Deceiving Arkansans And Increasing Profits Through Deceptive Practices’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing that his office has sued General Motors and its subsidiary OnStar for deceiving Arkansans and selling data collected through OnStar to third parties, who then sold the data to insurance companies:

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“This case is about General Motors and OnStar improperly collecting detailed driving data and selling that data to third parties. These third parties then sold the data to insurance companies, who used that data to deny consumers coverage or increase their rates. Despite advertising OnStar as offering the benefits of better driving, safety, and operability of its vehicles, GM and OnStar used the data to pad their profits at the expense of consumers. GM and OnStar deceived consumers about how they used the driving data. In our lawsuit, we are alleging violations under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and unjust enrichment. We are seeking monetary relief, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees and expenses.

“We will hold GM accountable for deceiving Arkansans and increasing profits through deceptive practices.”

To read a copy of the lawsuit, click here.

To download a PDF of this release, click here.

Attorney General Griffin Joins 37 AGs in Letter Asking FDA to Fight Distribution of Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs

Griffin: ‘Consumers Should Be Able To Seek Legitimate Treatment Without Fear Of The Drugs They Purchase Being Ineffective, Or Worse, Outright Harmful’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin released the following statement after he joined a bipartisan coalition of state and territory attorneys general calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take swift action against bad actors who are endangering consumers with counterfeit forms of weight-loss and diabetes drugs:

“Legitimate weight-loss and diabetes treatments such as Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy, known as GLP-1 drugs, have risen in popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, where legitimate and useful goods and services arise, fraudulent actors are likely to follow. In this case, counterfeit drugs, often originating from overseas in places like China, are being sold online to unsuspecting American consumers, including Arkansans.

“I have joined a bipartisan group of attorneys general calling on the FDA to curtail the distribution of counterfeit drugs being distributed online. Consumers should be able to seek legitimate treatment without fear of the drugs they purchase being ineffective, or worse, outright harmful.

“The FDA has the expertise and resources to go after these counterfeit drug manufacturers. Our letter urges them to exercise their ability to shut these operations down and to work with state pharmacy boards to ensure that GLP-1 drugs are compounded safely.”

Joining Arkansas on the letter co-led by South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee is Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

To read the full letter, click here.

Coalition Suing Against Unlawful Biden Administration Rule Files Report with Court Clarifying That Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is Not Being Challenged

Griffin: ‘Threatening Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in its entirety was never our goal nor was it something we sought, despite what some have said in the media and online’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after he and the coalition of 16 other attorneys general who last year sued the Biden administration over an unlawful federal rule clarified their position with a filing in court:

“As I have reiterated over the past week, from the beginning, our lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s rule categorizing gender dysphoria as a disability was about just that: challenging that specific rule. Threatening Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in its entirety was never our goal, nor was it something we sought, despite what some have said in the media and online. But to ensure all stakeholders involved are comfortable and are clear about the 17 states’ intent, we have filed a status report with the court with the following language:

Plaintiffs clarify that they have never moved—and do not plan to move—the Court to declare or enjoin Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794, as unconstitutional on its face. Plaintiffs have not sought and do not seek to enjoin the disbursement of funds from the Department on the basis that the statute is unconstitutional.

The context of the entire Complaint, ECF No. 1, shows that the meaning and scope of Count 3 asserting a claim under the Spending Clause—and the declaratory and injunctive relief sought in the demand—is an as-applied challenge to any purported application of Section 504 to funds that are not authorized by the Rehabilitation Act. Such alleged unconstitutional applications include the requirements the Final Rule imposes on recipients to adopt the “most integrated setting” and the “at serious risk of institutionalization” standards of care. 89 Fed. Reg. 40,066, 40,183, 40,120–21, 40,192 (May 9, 2024).

Nothing in Plaintiffs’ Complaint seeks to restrain the disbursement of federal funds from the Department on the basis that the statute is unconstitutional, or to otherwise prevent the Federal Government from allocating spending or applying the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act to any recipients of such funds.

“Also, it deserves mention that the lawsuit is stayed pending review of the rule by the Trump administration. I am confident the administration will soon abandon Biden’s blatantly unlawful interpretation of Section 504, which was the basis of our lawsuit in the first place.”

To read the full status report filed with the United States District Court Northern District of Texas, click here.

Attorney General Griffin Joins President Trump at White House for Signing of Executive Order to Protect Women in Athletic Competitions

Griffin: ‘President Trump’s Executive Order Today Restores Common Sense’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after he joined President Donald Trump at the White House for the signing of an executive order to protect women in athletics:

“Women and girls deserve the right to compete in athletic events on a fair and safe playing field. The previous administration was intent on putting female athletes at risk and degrading the integrity of competition because of its allegiance to ideals that are out of touch with reality. I applaud President Trump for doing what the Biden administration failed to do.

“When the previous administration proposed to re-interpret Title IX to mandate males being allowed to play in girls’ and women’s athletics, I led a 19-State coalition opposing it, and the administration backed down. Then last year I co-led a lawsuit challenging the Biden administration’s unconstitutional and nonsensical reinterpretation of Title IX that would have required schools and universities to allow males into girls’ and women’s locker rooms and showers. A federal district court agreed with our lawsuit and implemented a preliminary injunction against the new rule that we challenged.

“President Trump’s executive order today restores common sense. Women and girls deserve the chance to compete in athletics without fear of harassment, injury, or unfair competition.”

To read a copy of the President’s executive order, click here.

Attorney General Griffin launches Operation Obscured Vision to fight human trafficking statewide

Griffin: ‘January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the best way to prevent human trafficking and rescue its victims is to combat it on one of its key fronts: illicit massage parlors’

Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the execution of search warrants at 12 locations across the state as part of Operation Obscured Vision to combat human trafficking, resulting in aid provided to 16 victims, the arrest of four individuals, and the seizure of nearly $70,000 and a luxury vehicle:

“January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the best way to prevent human trafficking and rescue its victims is to combat it on one of its key fronts: illicit massage parlors.

“Operation Obscured Vision was coordinated by my office’s Special Investigations Division and executed by local law enforcement and victim advocates groups to expose the pervasive issue of illicit massage parlors in Arkansas, rescue the victims of human trafficking, and permanently end the presence of illicit massage parlors in our state.

“Many of the women working in these illicit massage parlors are coerced to do so. One victim we interviewed stated that she is forced to work seven days a week, 13 hours per day.

“I am proud to announce that local law enforcement, with coordination by my office, executed 12 search warrants at illicit massage parlors in Jonesboro, Russellville, Hot Springs, Rogers, Harrison, and a Little Rock hotel. I congratulate the local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, the Arkansas State Police, and Special Agents in my office for successfully executing this operation.

“I appreciate the efforts of victim’s advocates and the Arkansas Department of Health, who provided language interpreters, nursing services, and other support to help victims receive comprehensive and coordinated assistance to ensure their safety and support their journey toward independence and recovery. Seventeen victims ranging in age from 29-65 were identified in the operation, sixteen accepted services from medical staff and victim’s advocates.

“I am grateful to members of the Arkansas General Assembly and Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for their support of adding a full-time human trafficking investigator to my office. That Special Agent worked tirelessly to coordinate this operation, and it wouldn’t have happened without the agent’s efforts.

“This operation is just a first step. The intelligence and evidence obtained through Operation Obscured Vision will be used in ongoing investigations and will aid in targeting similar massage parlors elsewhere in the state. The criminals who run these establishments and the men who patronize them are on notice. We are coming for you, and we will put an end to this horrific practice of exploiting women through human trafficking.”

Four women were arrested as part of Operation Obscured Vision.

• Haiyan Lu, 54, of Harrison, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

• Qing Chen, 53, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

• Hongliang Cai, 55, of Jonesboro, one count of Promoting Prostitution in the Second Degree

• Chunli Wang, 50, of Rogers, one count of Sexual Assault in the Second Degree

Law enforcement seized nearly $70,000 during the operation. Additionally, ¥1,870 in Chinese currency was seized in Russellville. A Mercedes-Benz vehicle was seized in Rogers.

Participating law enforcement agencies in Operation Obscured Vision included:

• Arkansas Attorney General’s Office Special Investigations Division

• Arkansas State Police

• Arkansas State Fusion Center

• Jonesboro Police Department

• Harrison Police Department

• Rogers Police Department

• Benton County Sheriff’s Office

• Russellville Police Department

• Little Rock Police Department

• Hot Springs Police Department

Prosecuting Attorneys participating in Operation Obscured Vision include:

• Sonia Hagood, Second Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

• Jeff Phillips, Fifth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

• Will Jones, Sixth Judicial Prosecuting Attorney

• David Ethredge, Fourteenth Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

• Michelle Lawrence, Eighteenth-East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

• Bryan Sexton, Nineteenth-West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney

Advocate groups participating in Operation Obscured Vision included:

• Arkansas Human Trafficking Council

• Into the Light

• Freedom Finders

• Hope Found

• NWA Forensic Nursing Team/REACH

• NWA Sexual Assault Center

• We Are Free

• Regional Intervention of Sexual Exploitation (RISE)

• Children’s Protection Center (CPC) Little Rock

Attorney General Griffin announces arrest of North Little Rock man on child pornography charges

Griffin: ‘Fighting the exploitation of our most vulnerable remains a priority for my office and requires a team effort to bring these perpetrators to justice’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after agents in his Special Investigations Division arrested Richard Keith Dewberry, 68, of North Little Rock on 13 felony counts of distributing, possessing, or viewing matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a minor:

“This morning, special agents from my office arrested Dewberry following an investigation thanks to a cybertip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). I am thankful for the tip to NCMEC that led to this arrest and for the valuable assistance of the North Little Rock Police Department in this case. Fighting the exploitation of our most vulnerable remains a priority for my office and requires a team effort to bring these perpetrators to justice.”

In October, special agents from the Attorney General’s Special Investigations Division served a search warrant on Dewberry’s residence in North Little Rock, where they seized a laptop for forensic examination. During the examination, numerous images of child sexual abuse material were discovered on the laptop’s hard drive.

Dewberry was arrested on December 3. He was booked into the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility and is being held without bond.

If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of exploitation, call the NCMEC CyberTipline at (800) 422-4453 or visit https://report.cybertip.org.

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.

Attorney General Griffin Announces Hiring of Jeff Chandler as Deputy AG to Lead Special Prosecutions Division

Griffin: ‘As a longtime prosecutor, Deputy AG Chandler understands the unique needs and challenges of prosecuting attorneys’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing a new Deputy Attorney General for Special Prosecutions in his office:

“I am pleased to announce that I have hired Jeff Chandler as Deputy Attorney General to lead my Special Prosecutions Division. Deputy AG Chandler’s extensive experience as a prosecutor, public defender, and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps make him an excellent pick to lead this division.

“My Special Prosecutions Division works with prosecutors across Arkansas to provide support when needed and assist in prosecutions, particularly in the areas of human trafficking, organized retail crime, internet crimes against children, and public integrity. As a longtime prosecutor, Deputy AG Chandler understands the unique needs and challenges of prosecuting attorneys.”

Chandler is a retired lieutenant colonel who served in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General’s Corps and served as the Chief Deputy Prosecutor of the 5th Judicial District from 1998 to 2018. Since 2018 he has worked for the Arkansas Public Defender Commission – Capital Conflicts and Appellate Division, where he defended capital murder cases. Chandler received his undergraduate degree in microbiology and molecular genetics from Oklahoma State University and his law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville.

Attorney General Griffin Partners with University of Arkansas to Secure State’s Constitutional Documents

Griffin: ‘It is well past time that we bring these historical resources into the modern age by digitizing them and making them available to everyone’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing a joint effort by his office and the University of Arkansas, who will be working with the University of Oxford’s Quill Project to preserve historical documents related to the framing and ratification of the current Arkansas Constitution and previous versions and make them more easily accessible for research and public consumption:

“It is fitting that as we mark the 150th anniversary of the Arkansas Constitution, my office is working with the University of Arkansas to preserve and digitize the documents relating to our current constitution and previous versions dating back to our state’s founding.

“Thousands of legal opinions, law review articles, and legal memos are written every single year without the benefit of the documents that we possess in our archives. Why don’t we avail ourselves of the information that we possess? Because documents related to Arkansas’s constitutions, the current version of which was ratified in 1874, are publicly available, but not easily accessible. Someone wanting to research and read the documents must drive to their location and physically thumb through thousands of files.

“Not only are these documents difficult to access, but they also aren’t searchable. They aren’t digitized and, as a result, cannot be searched in the course of normal legal research as you would with cases, for example. While completing a recent research project, staff in my office spent several days rummaging through boxes of old documents, many of which are deteriorating and have been damaged over time.

“It is well past time that we bring these historical resources into the modern age by digitizing them and making them available to everyone. To do that, I am committing funding to the University of Arkansas to lead this initiative. The University of Arkansas will work in conjunction with the University of Oxford and its Quill Project that provides a portal for legal research involving all 50 states and the federal government and has established itself as the authority and leader on this type of research.
“This tool will revolutionize scholarship surrounding the Arkansas Constitution, providing a benefit not just to researchers and archivists, but also judges, attorneys, elected officials, and everyday citizens. This effort represents a collaboration between my office, the University of Arkansas, the University of Oxford, the Quill Project, and the State Archives. This is a monumental step for the State of Arkansas and an effort that will benefit generations of Arkansans to come.”

University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. Charles F. Robinson provided this statement:

“As a land-grant institution, the University of Arkansas is dedicated to serving the people of our state and nation. Joining the Quill Project provides an incredible opportunity to fulfill this commitment by preserving Arkansas’s constitutional history and enriching our collective understanding of the foundations of American democracy.”

Senior Research Fellow and director of the Quill Project at the University of Oxford, Dr. Nicholas Cole of Pembroke College provided this statement:

“Democracy is stronger in America than anywhere else in the world, and Americans instinctively know that it is because of their federal system. Too little attention has been to the history of state constitutions. The history of institutions is something that, in the last few generations, has fallen out of the curriculum. If you understand the history of democratic institutions and how hard it is to reach agreement over very difficult issues, then I think you have more understanding of why things have evolved the way they have evolved.

“A minority of the world’s population have ever lived under democratic government at any one time. Democracy is a fragile and difficult thing. I think this project is about not taking it for granted.”

Dr. Cynthia Nance, Dean of the University of Arkansas School of Law, shared the following statement:
“The University of Arkansas School of Law is honored to contribute to this significant project, which will offer Arkansas citizens, researchers, and members of the judiciary and legal profession deeper insights into the origins of the state’s constitutional provisions. We commend the Attorney General for his leadership in pursuing this critical initiative.”

Dr. Colin Crawford, Dean of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law, issued the following statement:

“The Quill Project promises to be an outstanding resource for scholars, lawyers, and citizens in Arkansas. I was trained as a historian before going to law school, and I know that historical context matters to understanding the law and our legal traditions. Being able easily to access the sorts of historical legal materials that the Quill Project identifies is sure to lead to better-informed thinking about and understanding of the law.”

Dr. David Ware, State Historian and Arkansas State Archives Director, shared the following:

“Studying and debating the origins, intentions and the contents of state and national constitutions is an important, vital part of citizenship. Often, one hears assertions of constitutional rights or the original intent of constitutions’ framers, based on beliefs or wishful thinking, rather than acquaintance with and examination of the available evidence. The Quill Project will collect that evidence and promises to make it generally, conveniently available, which is a big step on the road to better general understanding of the ‘whats and whys and wherefores’ of our constitutions. This is a collection of good work – the work of archives, libraries, historians and any who love the principle of law and enjoy studying it.”

Jason Battles, Dean of the University of Arkansas Libraries, provided the following statement:

“The Quill Project is an exciting undertaking for the University of Arkansas Libraries and we are grateful to Attorney General Griffin for entrusting us with the task of incorporating the rich constitutional history of Arkansas. Our participation will achieve multiple worthy goals: preserve at-risk documents, bring these documents together into one searchable site, and add important context to convention proceedings, related committee activities, and even delegate correspondence thus providing a more complete story of how critical documents of our state’s history came to be.”

Howard Brill, Professor at the University Arkansas School of Law and former Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, said:

“The Quill Project will be of singular importance to attorneys and judges. I teach a course on the Arkansas Constitution and these documents will provide valuable background information. In addition, when I was on the Court, I authored a dissenting opinion in Trujillo v. State, 2016 Ark. 49, which required an interpretation of a provision of the Arkansas Declaration of Rights as it appeared in all five Arkansas Constitution. These primary source documents would have been of great help in writing that opinion.”

Williams Baptist College Professor Dr. Rodney Harris, who has done extensive research on the Arkansas Constitution, shared the following:

“The handwritten 1874 Constitutional Convention journal presents one of the biggest obstacles for researchers when it comes to the present constitution. The framers of the Constitution either did not wish to spend the money to have the proceedings printed or they deliberately attempted to keep the public in the dark and we will never know which. I am confident that this project will make the intent of the framers better known and help shape our understanding of the 1874 Constitution.”

Arkansas Attorney General Provides $600,000 Grant to Support Women’s Mental Health Fellowship

By Tim Taylor

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has received a $600,000 grant from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin to support a women’s mental health fellowship in an effort to address the impact of the opioid epidemic on women and to help reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate.

The grant will be used to train a new generation of psychiatrists in the treatment of women with opioid use disorder and other psychiatric conditions, specifically during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The Women’s Mental Health Program, based in the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute, has the state’s only three psychiatrists specializing in women’s mental health. The program recorded 3,758 patient visits between January 2023 and August 2024, 40% of which were for substance use disorders.

Arkansas Attorney General Provides $600,000 Grant to Support Women’s Mental Health Fellowship

Jessica Coker, M.D., serves as the medical director of the Psychiatric Research Unit’s inpatient units.

Attorney General Griffin announces plan to honor Arkansas D-Day "Band of Brothers" hero SSG Denver "Bull" Randleman with statue in Downtown Little Rock using private funds

Griffin: ‘I can think of no better person to sculpt and honor Denver Randleman than Kevin Kresse’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing plans to erect a statue in downtown Little Rock honoring Arkansas native Staff Sergeant Denver “Bull” Randleman, who participated in the D-Day invasion as a member of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division that was portrayed in the book-turned-miniseries “Band of Brothers:”

Denver “Bull” Randleman - Facebook Image

“It is past time that we honor the selfless service of Staff Sergeant Denver Randleman, and today I am announcing that acclaimed sculptor Kevin Kresse has agreed to sculpt a statue that will honor Staff Sergeant Randleman and be placed in downtown Little Rock near the new home of the Office of the Attorney General. Kevin’s talent for capturing the spirit of his subjects through posture, expression, and countless other details is extraordinary, and his work was recently heralded for his statue of Johnny Cash, which now sits in the United States Capitol. I can think of no better person to sculpt and honor Denver Randleman than Kevin Kresse.

“Preserving Staff Sergeant Randleman’s legacy through this statue will add to the quality of downtown Little Rock, and it will call attention not just to this single man but to all of Arkansas’s military heroes, particularly those who served in World War II.”

Randleman was born in Rector and died in 2003 in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he is buried.

Staff Sergeant Randleman’s service in Europe after the D-Day invasion was immortalized in Stephen Ambrose’s book “Band of Brothers,” which later was developed into an award-winning miniseries by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, in which Randleman was portrayed by actor Michael Cudlitz.

The statue is being funded completely with private funds.

Attorney General Griffin and 30-state coalition announce opioid settlement with Kroger

Griffin: ‘I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that Arkansas will receive up to $13,535,086.30 as its share of a $1.37 billion settlement with Arkansas, 29 other states, and Kroger over its role in the opioid crisis:

“Opioid addiction continues to be a scourge in Arkansas and our nation. I am pleased with this settlement as the funds will go to opioid abatement. I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable.”

Arkansas’s share will be paid over 11 payments through 2034. Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

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Between 2006 and 2014, Arkansas was flooded with almost 1.5 billion units of addictive opioids. By 2016, Arkansas had the second-highest opioid prescription rate in the nation, with 114.6 opioids being dispersed for every 100 Arkansans.

In November 2023, Griffin announced a grant of $50 million of the state’s opioid settlement funds to help establish the National Center for Opioid Research & Clinical Effectiveness (NCOR) at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

To read the settlement, click here.

Attorney General Griffin launches "One Pill Can Kill," an initiative to combat fentanyl on college campuses

Griffin: ‘The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today at the University of Arkansas issued the following statement announcing “One Pill Can Kill,” an initiative to educate college students about the dangers of fentanyl and give them tools to combat it:

“Fentanyl is a scourge on our society, and it disproportionately impacts our young people. One Pill Can Kill is a multifaceted initiative to help protect college students from the risk of opioid overdose.

“As part of the initiative, student leaders are being educated about the dangers of fentanyl, and they’re being trained to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone to treat someone experiencing an overdose, and how to use testing strips to ensure that medications or beverages have not been laced with fentanyl.

“Using state opioid settlement funds, I am providing harm-prevention kits—which include fentanyl testing strips, a naloxone ‘vending machine,’ and funding the student training.

“This initiative will be statewide, but we are starting at the University of Arkansas campus here in Fayetteville. I am extremely grateful for the cooperation and support of Chancellor Charles Robinson and university staff. The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives.”

University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson provided this statement:

“Fentanyl overdoses are claiming the lives of far too many young Arkansans, and with the support of Attorney General Griffin, the University of Arkansas is fully committed to educating and equipping our community to confront this crisis head-on. As this initiative expands to colleges and universities throughout the state, its impact will multiply, offering life-saving knowledge and tools to thousands more young Arkansans.”

To learn more about Arkansas’s One Pill Can Kill initiative, visit www.arkansasag.gov/OnePillCanKill.

For a printer-friendly version of this document, click here.

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Attorney General Tim Griffin announces $1 Million cybersecurity grant to the University of Arkansas Little Rock

Griffin: ‘When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing a $1 million grant to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to establish a Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center:

“When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link. UA Little Rock is providing a shield and sword for Arkansans as one of the nation’s top cybersecurity programs. Its faculty is focused on providing real-world knowledge to its students. The CORE Center will enhance the program’s ability to produce well-prepared students who will, in turn, protect our citizens and their businesses, and join the fight against foreign and domestic adversaries in cyberspace.”

UA Little Rock Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Ann Bain provided this statement:

“This funding and support are not merely investments in our programs; they are investments in the security and prosperity of Arkansas. With this backing, we are able to educate and prepare the cyber experts who will protect our state’s infrastructure, businesses, and communities for years to come.”

UA Little Rock Associate Professor Dr. Phillip Huff provided this additional statement:

“We are deeply committed to driving cybersecurity education forward—not only for our students’ futures but for the protection and prosperity of Arkansas. We are grateful to Attorney General Tim Griffin because this support will help ensure that UA Little Rock remains a leader in this vital field and that Arkansas businesses, communities, and critical infrastructure are equipped to meet future cybersecurity challenges head-on.”

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Attorney General Griffin joins 26-State coalition supporting Virginia's right to remove citizens from voting rolls

Griffin: ‘The fundamental right of voting belongs to citizens, not non-citizens’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after joining with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and 24 other state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court supporting Virginia’s lawful removal of non-citizens from its voter rolls:

“The National Voter Registration Act, passed by Congress, says that the fundamental right of voting belongs to citizens, not non-citizens. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution explains that the States have the primary authority over election administration, specifically the ‘times, places and manner of holding elections.’

“This is why I have joined this amicus brief in support of Virginia’s right to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls ahead of the upcoming election. The Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to prevent Virginia from implementing its own law—a law utilized by governors of both parties—is nothing more than a crass election-eve effort that instills confusion in the voting process.”

The Kansas-led brief also includes Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

To read the brief, click here.

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Arkansas Attorney General Griffin announces Medicaid fraud arrest

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the arrest of Victoria Smith-Williams, 36, of Conway on one count of Medicaid fraud, a Class B Felony:

“Working as a dental assistant while concurrently billing the state Medicaid program for the same hours worked is an affront to the hardworking taxpayers of our state. I will continue fighting against this type of fraud and holding people accountable for trying to take advantage of the state.

“I thank Chief Investigator Gregory McKay in my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for his diligence in securing this arrest. I am also grateful to the Arkansas State Police for its assistance along with Sixth Judicial Prosecutor Will Jones, who has appointed Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson to be the special deputy prosecutor in this case.”

Smith-Williams was arrested on October 17. While employed as a dental assistant, Smith-Williams submitted timesheets for Medicaid services purportedly rendered at the same time. She billed the state $18,000 for comprehensive community support services that were never rendered to Medicaid recipients. She was booked at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility and is currently free on $10,000 bond.