Two More Arrests in Humphreys County Equal 12 Charged in Undercover Probe

NASHVILLE - Two additional Humphreys County residents are charged in connection with an undercover police investigation involving prescription drugs. 

The Office of Inspector (OIG), working with officers of the Waverly Police Department and the Humphreys County Sheriff, today announced the arrest of two men from Waverly:  Anthony Miller, 31 and Jonathan P. Rice, 18.

Miller is charged with one count of selling the controlled pain medication Dihydrocodeinone, one felony count of selling the painkiller morphine and one count of TennCare fraud for selling a portion of a prescription for the painkiller Hydrocodone, which had been paid for by TennCare.

Rice is charged with one count of selling marijuana under one-half an ounce, a class A misdemeanor, and one count selling of selling Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication and schedule IV controlled substance.

“We initially were able to make ten arrests in Humphreys County and with the booking of these two, it brings to 12 the number of arrests made in this investigation,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said. “The undercover operation we staged with local police is keeping us busy, and may continue to generate arrests and leads on TennCare abuse.” 

TennCare fraud is a class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison per charge.  Sale of a schedule II controlled substance is a class C felony that carries a sentence of up to six years and sale of a schedule III controlled substance is a class D felony that carries a sentence of up to 4 years in prison per charge. District Attorney General Dan M. Alsobrooks is prosecuting.

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.5 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $171 million for the TennCare program, according to latest figures.  To date, over 1,230 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 log on to www.tn.gov/tnoig and follow the prompts that read "Report TennCare Fraud."