by: Tyler Haughn
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — Dr. William Hedrick, a former Muncie doctor previously convicted for writing illegal prescriptions, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud and other felony charges in three separate cases.
The Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Hedrick was sentenced on July 19 in Delaware County Circuit Court 3. He pled guilty to charges that included:
- Unlawful Dispensation of Controlled Substance
- Medicaid Fraud
- Obstruction of Justice
- Harassment by telegraph, mail, or written communication
Hedrick had previously been found guilty of felony forgery and prescription-related offenses in 2018 while working at the Centers for Pain Relief in Muncie. Officials had claimed at that time that Hedrick’s overprescribing contributed to the deaths of eight people.
The case against him grew in scope as investigations uncovered that he had filed “false and fraudulent information” to the Indiana Medicaid program. As the state prepared for trial, a potential witness came forward in November 2023, revealing that Hedrick had allegedly attempted to bribe them to collaborate on the case, sending over 20 messages related to the matter.
In light of this, Hedrick was charged with one count of attempted bribery, a Level 5 felony. Prosecutor Eric Hoffman expressed outrage at Hedrick’s actions, stating, “Hedrick is a convicted felon and a complete, utter, and total disgrace to the medical profession. I call upon Indiana’s medical licensing board to immediately revoke his license to practice medicine.”
In addition to the prison sentence, Hedrick faces the revocation of his medical license, which authorities hope will prevent further harm and ensure justice for his victims.