Federal Indictment Against Dr. Brian Hyatt

Dr. Brian Hyatt, the former chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board, has been indicted on federal charges involving the alleged drugging and abduction of patients. The indictment, released on Monday, reveals that Hyatt allegedly held patients at a psychiatric facility against their will to secure higher health care reimbursements.

A grand jury indicted Hyatt in early March on two federal counts of kidnapping. Additionally, he faces charges for the distribution of controlled substances, which prosecutors claim were used to sedate patients without medical justification.

Allegations of Staff Complicity

Seven other individuals, including nurses, administrative staff, and mental health workers employed by Hyatt, were also indicted in early March. The court documents allege that some staff members neglected to document the true conditions of patients, instead using generic notes to hide the lack of actual treatment.

Other employees are accused of direct involvement in the misconduct. According to the indictment, these actions included:

  • Using threats, coercion, and intimidation to force patients into unnecessary medical treatments.
  • Employing physical abuse to prevent victims from reporting the facility's activities.
  • One instance where an employee allegedly broke a patient's collarbone while physically restraining her.

Facility and Potential Penalties

The alleged crimes took place at the Northwest Medical Center Behavioral Health Unit in Springdale, Arkansas. Hyatt’s medical company held a contract to provide psychiatric services at this location between 2018 and 2022.

If convicted, those charged face severe legal consequences, including a maximum sentence of life in prison. Penalties may also include up to five years of supervised release and fines reaching $250,000. As of Monday night, no attorneys were listed for Hyatt or the seven employees, and the Arkansas State Medical Board has not provided a comment.