A Boston woman has admitted guilt in a federal court to charges related to fraudulently renting two apartments using another person's identity. Ashley Roostaie, also known as "Lola" or "dropdeadlola," pleaded guilty to access device fraud and conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft. U.S. District Court Judge Patti B. Saris set the sentencing date for May 22, 2025.
Roostaie was charged alongside Terrence Pyrtle in April 2023. According to court documents, Roostaie and allegedly Pyrtle used someone else's personal information, including name, date of birth, and Social Security number, to secure lease agreements for apartments in Braintree and Somerville. They reportedly created an email account under the victim's name and submitted a fake driver's license with the victim's details but featuring a different photograph.
This fraudulent activity allowed them to conceal their connection to the properties. It is alleged that Pyrtle then used these locations for drug-related activities involving cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogue, and methamphetamine.
The pair also allegedly used the victim's identity to obtain a Green Dot debit card for paying rent exceeding $1,000 monthly for each apartment. Pyrtle has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.
The charge of conspiracy to commit access device fraud and aggravated identity theft carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison with three years of supervised release and fines up to $250,000. Access device fraud can result in up to ten years in prison with similar terms for supervised release and fines.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley announced the case along with Jodi Cohen from the FBI's Boston Division and Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble of the Massachusetts State Police. The investigation received support from several local police departments as well as the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kaitlin R. O’Donnell and David Cutshall are handling prosecution efforts as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States.
It is important to note that all allegations remain until proven otherwise beyond reasonable doubt in court.