Update: Jacksonville Dentist Howard Schneider's Dental Assistant CHARGES DROPPED

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phillips, hunt & walker Case Updates

UPDATE: Charges were dropped against Dr. Schneider’s dental assistant on August 18, 2017. See below for details on the original charges and click here for story on charges being dropped against Howard S. Schneider.

Original Story:

Florida’s attorney general’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office have issued another warrant in the medicaid / abuse criminal case related to Jacksonville dentist Howard S. Schneider. Schneider was arrested yesterday. Read more about that here. They arrested and booked his assistant LaTosha Bevel-Hillsman on charges of practicing dentistry without a license, defrauding the Florida Medicaid program and child abuse. Hillsman was booked into the Duval County jail just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 17, 2015. What has been identified as her facebook page has very risque (and unhygienic) photos.

According to the JSO Inmate Information Search, Bevel-Hillsman is being held on a $30,009 bond. She is not yet scheduled for a court date. It is unknown if the practice will be providing her with a criminal defense lawyer.

Here is her booking report:

And charging information:

You can also read the 36 Page Arrest Warrant Affidavit here.

Mugshot:

Charges:

She was charged with 1 counts of violation of Section 409.920(2)(A)(2), under the Medicaid Fraud Statute. It states:

(2)(a) A person may not:

2. Knowingly make, cause to be made, or aid and abet in the making of a claim for items or services that are not authorized to be reimbursed by the Medicaid program.

The potential punishment:

(b)1. A person who violates this subsection and receives or endeavors to receive anything of value of:

a. Ten thousand dollars or less commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

Additionally, she was charged with violation of Section 466.026(1)(a). It states:

466.026 Prohibitions; penalties.—

(1) Each of the following acts constitutes a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084:

(a) Practicing dentistry or dental hygiene unless the person has an appropriate, active license issued by the department pursuant to this chapter.

Finally, she was charged with 827.03(1)(A). It states:

827.03 Abuse, aggravated abuse, and neglect of a child; penalties.—

(1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Aggravated child abuse” occurs when a person:

1. Commits aggravated battery on a child;

2. Willfully tortures, maliciously punishes, or willfully and unlawfully cages a child; or

3. Knowingly or willfully abuses a child and in so doing causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement to the child.

Each is charged as a felony. It is unknown if other employees will be charged. We represent this victim. Although we cannot discuss the precise details, it stems from a dental assistant performing dentistry. A dental assistant cannot perform the procedures she performed, it damaged the child and thus it is abuse. If a procedure such as this was performed and was billed for, it would also constitute billing fraud.

We expect the facts will exhibit a clear lack of control, condoned insubordination, and negligent practice at the office where the goal was to maximize profit at the expense of children and medicaid.

More Information:

General Information About Dental Abuse Civil Cases:

Case Against Howard S. Schneider:

National News Stories About Schneider Case:

◊ National News Stories Regarding Howard S. Schneider
- ◊ Good Morning America (ABC)
- ◊ Anderson Cooper (CNN)
- ◊ CNN New Day (CNN)
- ◊ Inside Edition Part I (CBS)
- ◊ Inside Edition Part II (CBS)
- ◊ Nancy Grace (HLN)

Other Resources:

Evidence Locker:

The Law Offices of John Phillips are based in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach, Florida, but John is licensed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama and before the U.S. Supreme Court. We will consult wherever injustice lives. In addition to personal injury and wrongful death, our firm handles family law matters and select criminal defense cases. You can contact us at help@floridajustice.com.