Little Rock, Arkansas – A coordinated national effort to combat health care fraud has led to multiple arrests in Arkansas, following a large-scale enforcement operation involving federal and state agencies across the country. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced that five individuals have been arrested as part of the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown, a sweeping initiative targeting alleged misuse of Medicaid funds.
The arrests were carried out by the Arkansas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) and are tied to an operation led on June 23 by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Health Care Fraud Unit. The action brought together a wide network of agencies, including U.S. attorneys’ offices, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General, the FBI, the DEA, and Medicaid Fraud Control Units from multiple states.
According to officials, the nationwide effort was prosecuted through Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams, along with 56 U.S. attorneys’ offices and 45 state attorneys general offices. Authorities described the operation as one of the more extensive recent crackdowns on fraudulent billing schemes affecting federal health programs.
In Arkansas, Attorney General Griffin emphasized that the arrests reflect ongoing efforts to protect taxpayer-funded health care programs from abuse. The cases, he said, were the result of months of investigation by state-level agents working closely with federal partners. Griffin specifically credited Special Agents Laura Glover, Brandon Muldrow, and Marcus Custer of the MFCU division for their work, as well as Sixth Judicial District prosecutor Will Jones.
The five individuals arrested face a range of charges connected to alleged fraudulent Medicaid billing practices involving personal care services and supportive living care. While each case differs in detail, investigators say all involve improper claims submitted to the Medicaid program for services that were either not provided or not eligible for reimbursement.
Among those arrested is 64-year-old Angelia Lakey of Hoxie, a personal care aide accused of submitting fraudulent Medicaid claims for services that were never provided. According to Griffin, Lakey allegedly used multiple cell phones to complete required electronic check-ins while not physically present with patients. Authorities say Medicaid was billed $108,380.16 for these claims. Lakey has been charged with Medicaid fraud, a Class A felony.
Also charged is 34-year-old Alexander Kirksey of Jonesboro, who worked as a personal care aide. Investigators allege Kirksey falsely claimed to have provided personal care services to multiple beneficiaries when the services were not actually delivered. The alleged fraudulent billing totaled $58,644.28, and he has been charged with Medicaid fraud, a Class A felony.
A third case involves 37-year-old Oprah Ewing, also of Jonesboro. Ewing faces charges of Medicaid fraud, a Class B felony, along with tampering, a Class A misdemeanor. Officials allege that Ewing assisted Kirksey in submitting fraudulent claims and later attempted to influence a witness by pressuring them to withhold information from investigators. The alleged fraudulent Medicaid billing in her case amounts to $5,893.12.
In West Memphis, 35-year-old Porcha Birdo was arrested and charged with Medicaid fraud, a Class B felony. According to Griffin, Birdo improperly billed Medicaid for personal care services provided to her child. Under Medicaid rules, personal care aides are prohibited from billing for services rendered to their own children. Authorities say Medicaid was billed $18,693.12 in connection with the improper claims.
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The fifth arrest involves 50-year-old Armanda Richardson of Pine Bluff, a direct service professional accused of billing Medicaid for supportive living care services provided to her foster child. Investigators allege that these billings overlapped with her full-time employment hours, raising further concerns about the legitimacy of the claims. Medicaid was billed $16,401 for the disputed services.
Together, the five cases highlight what officials describe as varied but coordinated patterns of Medicaid fraud involving personal care and supportive services. While the alleged schemes differ in execution, authorities say they share a common outcome: improper billing of taxpayer-funded health programs.
Griffin noted that Arkansas’ participation in the national takedown reflects broader cooperation between state and federal agencies working to detect and prevent fraud in public assistance programs. The cases will now proceed through the court system, where prosecutors will determine the outcome based on evidence gathered during the investigation.
Officials say additional enforcement actions may follow as part of ongoing efforts linked to the national health care fraud initiative.
