Two Colorado Residents Indicted for Over $4 Million Medicaid Transportation Fraud

Federal prosecutors allege two Colorado transportation operators submitted more than $4 million in fraudulent claims to the state’s Medicaid non‑emergency medical transportation program, charging them with wire fraud, health care fraud and money laundering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado and the Colorado Attorney General’s Office announced the actions after an HHS‑OIG posting dated February 10, 2026.

Prosecutors say 42‑year‑old Wesam Yassin of Douglas County, who operated as Sama Limo, billed Colorado Medicaid for roughly $3.3 million in NEMT rides from about March 2022 through October 2023. The indictment, as reported, includes an example in which Yassin billed approximately $283,000 for 64 rides for one beneficiary; roughly $165,000 of that amount was allegedly for trips after the beneficiary’s date of death, and the remaining billed rides did not match any Colorado medical appointments. Yassin faces six counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of health care fraud and eight counts of money laundering.

Federal filings allege 40‑year‑old Ashley Marie Stevens of Mesa County, who did business as Armistead Twin Rides, LLC, billed Colorado Medicaid during roughly July 2022 through February 2023. Grand Junction Sentinel and Justice Department reporting list Stevens’ total billed at more than $1 million. Other reporting breaks that total into components: more than $400,000 in rides billed for Stevens and family members that reportedly lacked corresponding medical appointments, about $450,000 alleged for rides of 400 or more miles per patient, and another $150,000 for trips that did not occur or were unrelated to medical providers. Stevens is charged with six counts of wire fraud, 11 counts of health care fraud and six counts of money laundering.

The indictments detail alleged money‑laundering mechanics for both defendants, including specific wire transfers and cash withdrawals exceeding $10,000 that prosecutors say moved fraudulent proceeds through bank accounts. Reporting from Grand Junction Sentinel and Justice Department materials ties the alleged proceeds to personal purchases prosecutors say include a home, furnishings, luxury vehicles, jewelry and cosmetic surgery.

Colorado’s Department of Health Care Policy and Financing was involved in uncovering the scheme, and a department spokesman told local reporters that “this fraud was discovered three years ago and is now being prosecuted.” HHS‑OIG’s action listing and the U.S. Attorney’s Office materials provide the primary federal filing dates; CBS Colorado reported Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury in December, suggesting earlier grand jury activity before the February 2026 public posting.

Both defendants are formally charged in indictments and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. The consolidated charges and counts listed by HHS‑OIG and Justice Department materials are specific: each defendant faces six wire‑fraud counts and 11 health‑care‑fraud counts, with Stevens accused on six money‑laundering counts and Yassin on eight. Public court filings and the U.S. Attorney’s Office press release contain the full indictments and the detailed transaction and ride allegations.