THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 26, 2024 Page 7 Malden man gets 3 1/2-year federal prison sentence for dealing fentanyl and identity theft Serial identity thief stole information from 17 people, including some of his drug customers By Steve Freker N o one was safe from having their identity information pilfered by Derick “Casa” Coulanges, of Malden, not even his own drug customers. That was the story told in U.S. District Court Friday at a sentencing for the 38-year-old Malden man, who was sentenced to 3 1/2 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and using stolen identities to conduct transactions and illegally obtain credit cards. In January 2024, Coulanges pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of fentanyl; possession of fi ve or more identifi - cation documents with intent to use them unlawfully; and use of and traffi cking in unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud to obtain property valued over $1,000. Fentanyl is considered the most widespread and deadly illegal drug on the market today. In 2022, 73,654 people – over 200 a day – died from a fentanyl overdose in the United States, more than double the amount of deaths from three years prior in 2019. Fentanyl deaths have increased every year for the past decade and it causes more overdose deaths than any other illegal drug. In 2023, DEA seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures are equivalent to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl. The other stolen identities were from victims from across the United States. The Mercedes-Benz that Coulanges owned was obtained through a fraudulent loan that he coerced one of his drug customers to obtain. Coulanges also procured a luxury apartment through a fraudulent loan application using the stolen identity and license of another drug customer. RON’S OIL Call For PRICE In 2023, DEA seized more than 79.5 million fentanyl-laced fake pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder. The 2023 seizures are equivalent to more than 376.7 million lethal doses of fentanyl. (Courtesy Photo/DEA) In January and February 2023, Coulanges was recorded selling a cooperating witness 50 grams of fentanyl in Coulanges’ Mercedes-Benz. In the recordings, Coulanges also offered to procure counterfeit driver’s licenses for the cooperating witness that contained stolen personal identifying information (PII). Coulanges would go on to explain the manner in which a counterfeit driver’s license bearing stolen PII could be utilized to open bank accounts and obtain credit cards to purchase items. In March 2023, during a search of Coulanges’ Malden apartment, which he had obtained using a drug customer’s stolen identity, approximately 28 grams of methamphetamine was located. During a search of Coulanges’ Mercedes-Benz, six driver’s licenses bearing stolen PII and one counterfeit license that bore CouJ& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. langes’ photograph with stolen PII of an individual from Ohio were recovered. A subsequent investigation revealed that the individuals associated with the driver’s licenses had been the victims of identity theft and had bank accounts and credit cards opened in their name. The counterfeit driver’s license bearing Coulanges’ photograph had been used to open bank accounts, apply for loans and obtain credit cards. Surveillance footage was located depicting Coulanges opening the accounts and then utilizing the fraudulently obtained credit cards to conduct transactions at various retailers, including at two jewelry stores where he purchased approximately $12,000 in jewelry. 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