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 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.

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.

Arkansas Medical Board chairman suspended from state Medicaid program

KUAR | By Hunter Field / Arkansas Advocate

The chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board has been suspended from the Arkansas Medicaid Program and is under investigation for Medicaid and Medicare fraud.

State health officials suspended all Medicaid payments to Board Chairman Dr. Brian Hyatt on Friday after determining there was a “credible allegation of fraud,” according to a letter obtained in a public records request.

A search warrant for Hyatt’s phone records, also obtained by the Advocate under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, provides a list of allegations against the Northwest Arkansas psychiatrist being investigated by Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2023-03-01/arkansas-medical-board-chairman-suspended-from-state-medicaid-program

Jenny Kane/AP

Dr. Brian Hyatt is being investigated by Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office for suspected Medicaid fraud.

Rutledge announces Warrant Wednesday Campaign to highlight Medicaid fraud in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a new social media campaign called “Wanted Wednesday” in order to highlight the Office of the Attorney General’s most wanted individuals suspected of Medicaid Fraud. On Wednesdays, Rutledge will release a poster on social media featuring the name, description, last known location and a photo of the suspect, in addition to the charges the individual is facing. Anyone with information about the suspect should call the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at (866) 810-0016.

“In the first four years of my administration alone, the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit secured more convictions than in the 16 years prior,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “This is due to the hard work and long hours that the men and women of the Attorney General’s Office put into investigating and tracking down those that take advantage of a system designed to help our most vulnerable.”

Since 2015, Attorney General Rutledge’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit led by Deputy Attorney General Lloyd Warford has secured 174 convictions, 173 civil settlements leading to $66,791,963 in restitution, fines and penalties on behalf of the State of Arkansas.

“Thank you to Attorney General Rutledge for her leadership and commitment to prosecuting these serious crimes. This social media campaign will continue to highlight the important work of the Attorney General’s Office,” said Deputy Attorney General Lloyd Warford.

Medicaid fraud occurs when Medicaid providers use the program to obtain money to which they are not entitled. To report Medicaid fraud, abuse or neglect in nursing homes or Social Security disability fraud, call the Attorney General’s Medicaid fraud hotline at (866) 810-0016 or submit a complaint online.