Mich. dentist on the run arrested for Medicaid fraud charges

A Michigan dentist charged with Medicaid fraud has been arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service in the Dominican Republic after fleeing the U.S. in May, according to the Michigan Attorney General's Office.

David Ross Johnson, DDS, 52, has been charged with one count of racketeering, 20 counts of Medicaid fraud -- false claims, and six counts of healthcare fraud -- false claims. He could serve up to 34 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Dr. Johnson was placed on the Medicaid exclusion list in 2006 following a Medicaid fraud conviction. The Michigan Attorney General's Office was later notified that he used an eligible dentist's information to bill Medicaid for $1.7 million in claims over a three-year period.

Charges were filed against Dr. Johnson in May, at which point he left the U.S., according to the Michigan Attorney General's Office.