Six People In Warren County Charged With TennCare Fraud

NASHVILLE - A drug round-up in Warren County has netted 25 arrests, including a half-dozen people who are also charged with TennCare fraud.  The Office of Inspector (OIG), the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and McMinnville Police Department cooperated in the investigation into “street” sales of prescription drugs. All of the charges stem from selling prescription drugs to undercover officers.   

“Prescription drug abuse is a target of police agencies across the state – and when TennCare is used to pay for the drugs, fraud charges will be added,” Inspector General Deborah Y. Faulkner said.  

The six charged with TennCare fraud are:

• Connie D. Barnes, 40, of McMinnville, charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of delivery of a Schedule II controlled substance for selling hydromorphone, the generic drug for the painkiller dilaudid, to an undercover agent.  The dilaudid, which is reportedly five times stronger than morphine, was obtained through TennCare.
• Jennifer L. Caswell, 21 and Jeremy Anderson, 27, both from McMinnville, who were charged together on the same indictment with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance for selling the painkiller hydrocodone to an undercover agent.  Caswell used TennCare to pay for the hydrocodone.  Anderson was with Caswell at the time of the alleged incident.
• Sara Edmonds, 29, of McMinnville, charged with one count of TennCare fraud and two counts involving delivery of controlled substances for selling hydrocodone and the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam to an undercover agent.  TennCare paid for the hydrocodone.
• Twana Martin-Campbell, 35, of McMinnville, has been charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance for selling hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent.
• Albert Cantrell, 49, of McMinnville, charged with one count of TennCare fraud and one count of delivery of Schedule III controlled substance for selling hydrocodone paid for by TennCare to an undercover agent. Cantrell was arrested at Hardeman County Correctional Facility where he is finishing out a 13-year sentence on unrelated charges.

TennCare fraud is a Class E felony carrying a sentence of up to two years in prison. District Attorney General Lisa Zavagiannis is prosecuting. 

The OIG, which is separate from TennCare, was created by Governor Bredesen and began full operation in February 2005 and has investigated cases leading to over $2.6 million paid in restitution and recoupment to TennCare, with a total estimated cost avoidance of over $159 million for the TennCare program, 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."