Pawtucket Man Admits Stealing ID, Drug-Dealing, Benefits Fraud

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Dominican national living in Pawtucket stole a person's identity to get a Rhode Island driver's license, fraudulently collected Medicaid benefits, and ran a fentanyl stash house out of an apartment in Lincoln.

Jeurin Celado, also known as "Tony," pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to false representation of a Social Security number, aggravated identity theft, health care fraud, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.

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Celado in 2010 stole the identity of a person he does not know and used that ID in various ways for about a decade, according to a release from Acting U.S. Attorney Richard B. Cyrus. His most recent successful filing with the DMV was on August 5, 2019. Celado also obtained Medicaid benefits he was not entitled due to his status as a non-U.S. citizen.

In addition, Woonsocket police detectives in 2019 conducted a drug investigation and found that on four occasions, a person contacted Celado, who they knew as "Tony," to arrange for the purchase of fentanyl. Celado directed the buyer to a location where he would be met by a drug runner who accepted cash payments.

Federal agents on Oct. 7, 2019, raided an apartment in the Manville area of Lincoln and found between 40 and 400 grams of fentanyl, along with other items consistent with a drug distribution organization. Prosecutors say it was a stash house where Celado stored, cut, and packaged the drugs. The U.S. Marshal's Service located the defendant, Cyrus said.

Woonsocket Deputy Police Chief Michael R. Lemoine told Patch that city detectives investigated the drug activity, but that the arrest was made by federal agents. Woonsocket officers work on task forces where they collaborate with state and federal law enforcement. "We will always do our best to help locate and identify these individuals and bring them to justice," he said.

Celado remains in federal custody. He is due for sentencing on July 9. In total, he faces between seven and 57 years of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release.