Boston woman sentenced for identity theft in drug trafficking scheme
A 38-year-old Boston woman will serve two years of probation and pay $2,000 after pleading guilty to using another person's identity to rent apartments that were used for drug trafficking.
Ashley Roostaie pleaded guilty in February to one count of access device fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft after being charged in 2023 alongside a co-conspirator.
Roostaie and Terrence Pyrtle used another person's Social Security number and other personal information to apply for and lease two apartments, one in Braintree and another in Somerville, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Using the names 'Lola' and 'dropdeadlola,' Roostaie and Pyrtle created an email account and a counterfeit driver's license with the victim's personal identifying information but a different person's photo and took out a debit card in the person's name. They sent this driver's license to the apartment complexes and used the debit card to make payments for the two apartments.
Using the stolen identity information for the apartment leases and utility and insurance contracts, Roostaie and Pyrtle were able to hide their connection to the apartments, officials said. Pyrtle then used the apartments for the distribution of cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue and methamphetamine.
Roostaie will serve two years of probation and pay a $1,000 fine and $1,000 in restitution.
Pyrtle was charged alongside Roostaie in 2023 and pleaded guilty to the same charges and aggravated identity theft, drug conspiracy and multiple counts of drug distribution in April 2025. He has not yet been sentenced.
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