Pine Ridge Woman Charged With Health Care Fraud

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters and Attempt to Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud.

Jamie Wounded Arrow, age 26, was indicted on February 19, 2014.  She appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on February 24, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction on either count is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Wounded Arrow presenting a falsified prescription for Hydrocodone to the Indian Health Services Pharmacy in Pine Ridge on October 16, 2013.

The charges are merely accusations and Wounded Arrow is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

Wounded Arrow was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for April 29, 2014.