Pine Ridge Man Indicted for Health Care Fraud

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters and Attempt to Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud.

William Wounded, age 20, was indicted on March 22, 2016.  Wounded appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daneta Wollmann on June 20, 2016, and pleaded not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Wounded using a falsified prescription to obtain Hydrocodone on October 21, 2015, at the Indian Health Services Pharmacy in Pine Ridge.

The charges are merely accusations and Wounded is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Kelderman is prosecuting the case.

Wounded was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for August 23, 2016.