SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KAIT) – The former chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board and seven others at a behavioral health unit have been accused of using drugs and force to hold patients against their will.
Brian Hyatt, 53, is accused of engaging in a kidnapping conspiracy between 2018 and May 2022 at the Northwest Medical Center Behavioral Health Unit (NWMC BHU) in Springdale. The following individuals are also charged:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Devon Talbert, age 50
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Lindsey Hess Goucher, age 40
- Registered Nurse and Former Director of the NWMC BHU, Miranda Newburn, age 43
- Former Admissions and Assessment Referral Coordinator at the NWMC BHU, Robert Green, age 35
- Former NWMC BHU mental health tech, Georgette “Gigi” Rice, age 58
- Former NWMC BHU mental health tech, Owen Benjamin, age 29
- Former NWMC BHU mental health tech, Collyn Harlan, age 31
Drugs, threats and intimidation alleged
According to U.S. Attorney Kimberly D. Harris for the Western District of Arkansas, they conspired to hold patients against their will through a variety of means including unlawful administration of Haldol, Ativan, and Thorazine, threats, intimidation, force, and the denial of phone privileges. This constitutes Count One of the indictment.
“The indictment alleges that these patients were held so that members of the conspiracy could bill for services that were not rendered and were not medically necessary,” Harris said in a Monday news release.
Harris said the indictment also alleged the conspirators did not report patient abuse they participated in or witnessed, as required by law.
Potential sentences
According to the news release, if convicted of Count One, the conspirators face a maximum sentence of life in prison and up to five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000…