A 28-year-old woman who was accused of doctor shopping in two counties was sentenced in DeKalb County Criminal Court last week.
Ashley Morgan pled guilty to TennCare Fraud, receiving two years, all suspended to supervised probation. The term will run concurrently with a sentence for the same crime in Cannon County.
She must also give up her TennCare benefits and pay $1,187.71 in restitution.
Morgan indicted by a DeKalb County Grand Jury on April 6 for TennCare Fraud. The indictment accused her of unlawfully obtaining or attempting to obtain a prescription from a healthcare provider in June, and failing to disclose that she had received a prescription for a similar controlled substance within the previous 30 days. Authorities said she used TennCare benefits to obtain the prescriptions.
She was then indicted in Cannon County in October for similar activity.
In the Cannon County case, a Grand Jury returned an indictment against her for three counts of fraudulently obtaining controlled substances by visiting different doctors to obtain Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, and using TennCare to finance the endeavor.
"When individuals go from doctor to doctor to obtain prescription drugs through TennCare benefits, state dollars are involved in illegal drug sales," said Inspector General Manny Tyndall at the time of the indictments in Cannon County. "We appreciate and value the hard work of the healthcare providers and the local law enforcement across the state and their efforts in helping us develop these cases."
TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge. The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005, and has investigated cases leading to more than $3 million being repaid to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of more than $163.6 million for TennCare, according to latest figures. To date, more than 2,000 people have been charged with TennCare fraud.
Through the OIG Cash for Tips Program established by the Legislature, Tennesseans can get cash rewards for TennCare fraud tips that lead to convictions. Anyone can report suspected TennCare fraud by calling 1-800-433-3982 toll-free from anywhere in Tennessee, or go to http://www.tn.gov/finance/topic/fa-oig.
Meanwhile, Garrett Michael Buckmaster, 25, pled guilty by information to three counts of burglary, receiving a three-year sentence in each case to run concurrently with each other but consecutive to a two-year sentence he is serving in Putnam County. He was given credit for 111 days served in jail.
According to Smithville Police Captain Steven Leffew, On July 22 Detective Brandon Donnell arrested Buckmaster and Dewayne Watkins, 22, on three charges of burglary and two charges of theft each, as well as a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon for Buckmaster.
Lieutenant Matt Holmes, Detective Donnell and Officer Lance Dillard had reportedly been investigating a recent rash of car burglaries in which several vehicles were damaged and items were missing. Police said the items were recovered at the residence where Watkins and Buckmaster reside.
The case against Watkins is still pending in court.
Kenneth Teeples, 50, pled guilty to possession of a weapon by a felon, receiving a two-year sentence, suspended to supervised probation. He must also forfeit the firearm.
Felicia Fullilove, 44, pled guilty to sale of a Schedule II drug, receiving a three-year sentence, suspended to supervised probation. She was also fined $2,000.
Jackie Wilkerson, 65, pled guilty to attempted delivery of a Schedule IV controlled substance, receiving a one-year sentence, fully suspended to judicial diversion probation. He was also fined $2,000, and must pay $20 in restitution to the Alexandria Police Department.
