Thirteen people from Indiana now face charges in what the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice are calling the largest healthcare fraud case in DOJ history.
On Monday, the DOJ announced the conclusion of its annual National Health Care Fraud Takedown, revealing fraud schemes involving over $14.6 billion in intended losses—marking the most significant takedown of its kind.
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- 4 Fake Dogs Used for Vet Prescriptions
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- 7 Officials React
A total of 324 individuals, including 96 medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, were charged.
Among them, 13 Indiana residents were named. State court charged 11, while federal court indicted 2. The charges range from veterinary-related fraud to black market sales of prescription opioids.
Fake Dogs Used for Vet Prescriptions
Rachel Goldstein, 43, of Jeffersonville, was one of two federally indicted Hoosiers. Prosecutors in the Western District of Kentucky charged her with conspiracy to obtain controlled substances by fraud.
Goldstein allegedly worked with veterinarians Ashley Barnett and Laura Webb to acquire more than 25,000 Schedule II drugs, including oxycodone and hydrocodone. She claimed the medications were for pets—some of which were either deceased or didn’t exist—while she was the actual user.
She also faces a healthcare fraud charge for allegedly using fraudulent prescriptions for dextroamphetamine, which she then sold back to the prescribing doctor. These prescriptions were reportedly submitted as Medicaid claims.
Black Market Opioid Scheme
The second Indiana federal case involves Evelyn Onukwube, 53, a licensed pharmacist from Noblesville. She was indicted in the Southern District of Texas for allegedly conspiring to distribute and illegally distributing controlled substances.
Court documents say Onukwube stole half a million opioids and worked with Trevor L. Cherry of Houston and Douglas Parks III of Katy, Texas. They allegedly used Houston-area pharmacies as a front to traffic opioids, selling them on the black market for a street value exceeding $8 million.
As the pharmacist-in-charge, Onukwube is accused of ordering large amounts of commonly abused prescription drugs, which Cherry and Parks then sold illegally.
11 Others Face State Charges in Indiana
The following Indiana residents also face state-level charges linked to the broader investigation:
-
Nathaniel Stimpson, 34, Decatur
Registered Nurse
Charges: 2 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, 16 counts of theft
Allegations: Stole medication from hospice patients while working for Eleos Hospice Care. -
Billy Guthrie, 48, Knightstown
Registered Nurse
Charges: Fraudulently obtained controlled substances, furnished false information
Allegations: Diverted patient medication at Greenfield Healthcare Center. -
Sheri Hapner, 53, Middlebury
Licensed Practical Nurse
Charges: Obtained drugs by fraud, failed to keep records, falsified information
Allegations: Misused and misdocumented medication while working at Waters of LaGrange. -
Jennifer Brant, 62, New Haven
Home Health Aide
Charges: Fraud and theft
Allegations: Submitted false claims for in-home care services that were never rendered. -
Tara Brown, 43, Fort Wayne
Personal Care Attendant
Charges: Fraud and theft
Allegations: Falsified claims for services she never provided. -
Lindsay Plake, 40, Elwood
Qualified Medication Aide
Charges: Fraud, failure to keep records, false information
Allegations: Stole medication from assisted living facility residents. -
Catherine Grimes, 66, Greencastle
Registered Nurse
Charges: 5 counts of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances, failure to keep records
Allegations: Acquired prescription drugs from patients at an Indianapolis recovery center. -
Christy Orwig, 58, Madison
Registered Nurse
Charges: Fraud, illegal drug possession, record-keeping failures, false reporting
Allegations: Took patient narcotics for personal use while working at a nursing home. -
Jenny Byrd, 41, Oakland City
Qualified Medication Aide
Charges: Fraud, illegal narcotics possession, failure to maintain records
Allegations: Diverted drugs from nursing home patients for personal use and admitted guilt. -
Kayla Bell, 35, Newburgh
Licensed Practical Nurse
Charges: Obstructed prescription delivery, fraud
Allegations: Took patient narcotics for herself, including falsifying records. -
Patrice Amos, 44, Avon
Registered Nurse
Charges: Fraud, illegal narcotic possession, record-keeping failures
Allegations: Diverted drugs meant for nursing home patients. -
Dezarae Polinske, 30, Elkhart, Wisconsin
Registered Nurse
Charges: Fraud, falsified information
Allegations: Diverted medications while working at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Marion County.
Officials React
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino shared on social media that he and Director Kash Patel are committed to holding violators accountable.
“Results matter. Talk is cheap. And this is not even the beginning of the beginning. If you’re stealing from the public or violating your oath to serve, then we’re coming for you too.”
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita echoed that message in a statement:
“Medicaid is a critical lifeline for Hoosiers, and we have zero tolerance for those who abuse it for personal gain. Our team is committed to securing justice, protecting taxpayer dollars, and preserving essential healthcare resources.”
Rokita noted that the Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75% of its funding from the Department of Health and Human Services under a federal grant, with the rest coming from the state.
During a news conference, Matthew Galeotti, head of the DOJ’s criminal division, called the case a pivotal moment in the fight to protect taxpayer funds and healthcare integrity.
“These criminals didn’t just steal someone else’s money. They stole from you,” Galeotti said. “Every fake billing, every kickback scheme represents money taken directly from the pockets of hardworking American taxpayers.”
