A sweeping federal healthcare fraud investigation has resulted in charges against more than a dozen Indiana residents, including four from northeast Indiana, as part of a nationwide crackdown targeting medical professionals.
The operation — led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — included 13 investigations carried out by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU). These investigations led to criminal charges against 12 individuals in Indiana, three of whom worked in hospice and in-home health care within the 21Country region.
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Northeast Indiana Charges
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Nathaniel Stimpson, 34, an RN in Adams and Wells counties, faces one Level 6 felony count of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and 16 misdemeanor theft charges.
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Jennifer Anne Brant, 62, of New Haven, and Tara Tiara Brown, 43, of Fort Wayne, are charged with felony fraud and theft for allegedly filing false claims for personal attendant care services in Allen County.
“Medicaid is a critical lifeline for Hoosiers, and we have zero tolerance for those who abuse it for personal gain,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Our committed team tirelessly pursues accountability for those who defraud the system, ensuring justice for our taxpayers.”
Other Hoosiers Charged:
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Billy Guthrie, 48, RN – Knightstown, Hancock County: Furnishing false or fraudulent information, obtaining a controlled substance by fraud (Level 6 felonies).
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Dezarae Polinske, 30, RN – Elkhart, Marion County: Same charges as Guthrie.
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Sheri Hapner, 53, LPN – Middlebury, LaGrange County: Failure to keep records, furnishing false info, obtaining drugs by fraud (Level 6 felonies).
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Lindsay Plake, 40 – Elwood, Howard County: Multiple Level 6 felonies and theft (Class A misdemeanor).
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Catherine Grimes, 66 – Greencastle, Marion County: Five counts of obtaining drugs by fraud and one record-keeping failure (Level 6 felonies).
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Christy A. Orwig, 58, RN – Madison, Jefferson County: Drug fraud, illegal possession, false records (Level 6 felonies).
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Jenny F. Byrd, 41, QMA – Oakland City, Vanderburgh County: Drug fraud, illegal possession, failure to keep records (Level 6 felonies).
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Kayla R. Bell, 35, LPN – Newburgh, Vanderburgh County: Obstructing delivery of a prescription drug (Level 5 felony) and multiple Level 6 felonies.
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Patrice R. Amos, 44, RN – Avon, Marion County: Drug fraud, illegal possession, and record-keeping violations (Level 6 felonies).
This wave of charges follows a broader federal crackdown, which DOJ officials say led to charges against nearly 100 medical professionals nationwide and exposed $14.6 billion in fraudulent health care schemes.
The investigation reflects a growing push to curb abuse within state and federal healthcare programs and ensure proper use of controlled substances while preserving critical resources for patients in need.
