Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the arrests of three individuals in connection with elder abuse and Medicaid fraud. The arrests were made following investigations by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of his office.
Griffin expressed appreciation for the efforts of Special Agents Heath Nelson and Marcus Custer, stating, "I congratulate the Special Agents in my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit on their recent arrests on separate abuse and Medicaid fraud cases. My office will continue to protect taxpayers from fraud and the elderly from abuse."
Hannah Christmas, 34, from Hamburg, turned herself in on October 31. She faces one count of Medicaid Fraud, a Class B Felony. From August 2023 to April 2024, she allegedly billed $5,490.72 for physical therapy services that were not provided to school districts in Dermott, Hamburg, and Lakeside. Christmas was booked into Pulaski County Jail with a bond set at $2,500.
Ja’Layia J. McClendon, 28, from North Little Rock also surrendered on October 31 under a warrant for Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person, a Class D Felony. Witnesses reported seeing McClendon striking an elderly resident at a Little Rock assisted living facility. She was booked into Pulaski County Jail with a bond set at $2,000.
Trey Franks, 28, from Jacksonville was arrested by Lonoke County Sheriff’s Department on October 31 for Abuse of an Endangered or Impaired Person, classified as a Class C felony. He is accused of transferring funds totaling $1,086.26 from the bank account of a long-term care facility resident to his credit card account between September and October 2023.
The cases will be prosecuted by Griffin's office in cooperation with Sixth Judicial District Prosecutor Will Jones and 23rd Judicial District Prosecutor Chuck Graham.
Tim Griffin has served as Arkansas's Attorney General since January 10, 2023. His previous roles include Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas and U.S. Representative for Arkansas’s Second Congressional District among other positions within government service.