Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement announcing two convictions and one arrest by his office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: “On July 24, David Pelto, 44, formerly of Fayetteville, was arrested on one count of exploitation of a vulnerable person, a Class B felony, and theft of property, a Class C felony. Pelto served as a co-guardian for the victim and is accused of stealing the victim’s money, personal property, and silver-coin collection. On August 4, Carmelita McCullum, 44, of Jonesboro pleaded guilty to one charge of Medicaid fraud, a Class A felony. She was sentenced to a six-year term of probation, ordered to pay a $500 fine and court costs, ordered to pay restitution of $17,902.56 to the Arkansas Medicaid Program, and sentenced to 120 days of suspended jail time. McCullum billed Medicaid for personal-care services that she never provided to her clients.
“On August 12, Tiernan Hoyle, 32, of Judsonia, pleaded guilty to one charge of abuse of an endangered or impaired person (exploitation), a Class C felony. She was sentenced to 55 days in jail, 72 months of probation, 40 hours of community service, and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine plus court costs. Hoyle was employed as a caregiver with Ozark Adult Personal Care, where she provided services to the victim. Hoyle used the victim’s debit card to make unauthorized personal purchases, resulting in overdraft fees and a total loss of $577.96. Before this case was filed, Ozark Adult Personal Care took steps to assist the victim in recovering the full amount.”