PITTSBURGH—A former resident of Washington County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of health care fraud, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

Oliver W. Herndon, 43, formerly of Braeburn Drive, McMurray, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Herndon was the medical director for Horizons Hospice, LLC. In that position, he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid by falsely certifying that patients were appropriate for hospice care.

Judge Schwab scheduled sentencing for July 14, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar and Senior Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Baxter are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Health and Human Services—Office of Inspector General and the Medicaid Fraud Control Section of the Office of Attorney General conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Oliver W. Herndon.