Baton Rouge natives among those indicted in nationwide fraud operation

(MGN)
Published: Jun. 27, 2024 at 4:46 PM CDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced three indictments in Baton Rouge tied to a nationwide healthcare fraud bust.

The operation netted nearly 200 people across the U.S., some who were health workers, according to the DOJ.

Baton Rouge natives Asia Deshan Guess, Devin Tyrone Stampley, Jr., and Kevan Andre Hills now face charges.

Prosecutors allege that the trio and others defrauded pharmacies across the greater Baton Rouge area to get their hands on drugs.

The group reportedly used nearly 100 phony prescriptions and personal information from at least 12 physicians and other medical workers without permission between April 2021 and February 2023.

Among the drugs that members of the group were able to get their hands on was Promethazine with Codeine and Hydrocodone.

Stampley, 32, faces an additional charge tied to a burglary at a Baton Rouge pharmacy in 2022, according to the DOJ.

“We do this work because we know that health care fraud is not a victimless crime,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

“Our messages to those seeking to exploit patients and defraud government programs is clear: you cannot hide your crimes. We will find you, and we will hold you accountable,” Garland added.

According to the DOJ, the crackdown revealed more than $2.75 billion in fraud.

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