A former psychiatrist from northwest Arkansas, Brian Hyatt, has been taken into custody by United States Marshals Service, according to jail records.
Arrest and Federal Hold
The 53-year-old was arrested on March 28 and booked into the Washington County Detention Center. Officials confirmed he is currently being held on a federal detainer, though specific details surrounding this latest arrest have not been disclosed.
Ongoing Federal Investigation
Hyatt has been under scrutiny for several years. Authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration, have been investigating allegations tied to fraud and patient abuse.
In 2022, federal agents searched his medical office. By 2025, investigators were seeking potential victims as part of a probe into claims that patients may have been held against their will.
Medicaid Fraud Charges
Hyatt is also facing Medicaid fraud charges in Arkansas. Court records indicate that while serving as director of a behavioral health unit at a medical facility in Springdale, concerns were raised about a sharp increase in patient numbers despite allegations that he rarely interacted with those under his care.
Legal and Mental Health Proceedings
The case remains active, with a court hearing scheduled for May 4 to assess Hyatt’s competency to stand trial. He was previously involuntarily committed to a mental health facility in 2025.
Additional Allegations and Legal Issues
Beyond fraud charges, Hyatt has faced other legal troubles, including prior arrests in 2025 related to alleged intoxication offenses. He is also named in hundreds of civil lawsuits, many involving claims of misconduct, coercion and abuse.