20 People In Smith County Charged With TennCare Fraud In Drug Investigation

NASHVILLE – TennCare fraud charges involving prescription painkillers were lodged today against 20 people in Smith County after an undercover operation involving the Office of Inspector (OIG), the 15th Judicial Drug Task Force and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The charges involve people selling prescription drugs paid for with TennCare benefits.

“Local police at the Smith County Sheriff’s Office were key to building these cases and helping us make these arrests,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  “We depend on local officers to help us in the war against TennCare drug fraud, and they are helping us get the word out and win the war against TennCare fraud in communities across the state.”

Most of today’s arrests involved the painkiller Hydrocodone:

• Penny Nannie, 39, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for obtaining a prescription of Hydrocodone using TennCare to pay for the drug, then selling a portion to an undercover agent;
• Sarah Gregory, 30, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for obtaining a prescription of Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare, then selling a portion to an under cover agent;
• Tammy Gibbs, 44, of Carthage, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for obtaining a prescription of Hydrocodone, using TennCare to pay for it, and then selling a portion to an undercover agent on two separate occasions;
• Crystal Mofield, 30, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Earnestine Comstock, 46, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone to an undercover agent after the drug was paid for in part by TennCare;
• Hugh T. Wilburn, 47, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling a controlled substance to an undercover agent which was obtained through a physician’s visit which was paid for by TennCare;
• Linda P. Gregory, 60, of Carthage, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for twice selling Hydrocodone paid for in part by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Michael Christian, 50, of Pleasant Shade, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Michael Davis, 44, of Carthage, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for selling the painkillers Morphine and Endocet, both paid for by TennCare, to an undercover agent on two separate occasions;
• Willodean Davis-Thaxton, 56, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone obtained through TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Melinda S. Gibbs, 51, of Carthage, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud;
• Marty D. Harris, Jr., 24, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Karen G. Jeffers, 48, of Carthage, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Marty D. Harris Sr., 48, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud;
• Daniel D. Davis, 22, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud;
• Scotty D. Franklin, 43, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud;
• Leah Silcox, 27, of Elmwood, charged with three counts of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Stacy Thackxton, 33, of Elmwood, charged with two counts of TennCare fraud for selling Oxycodone obtained through TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Patricia Crook, 33, of Smithville, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent;
• Mark Mofield, 44, of Carthage, charged with one count of TennCare fraud for selling Hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent. 

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years per charge in prison.  District Attorney General Tom P. Thompson is prosecuting.

The OIG, a law enforcement agency separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has worked cases leading to the arrest of over 850 individuals for TennCare fraud, with nearly $1 million paid in restitution to TennCare, and total estimated cost avoidance in TennCare of over $122 million, according to latest figures. 

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 log on to www.tncarefraud.tennessee.gov and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."