A Coupeville deputy marshal has helped crack a statewide prescription forgery case.

The investigation began in March, when a Seattle doctor discovered that a number of fraudulent prescriptions had been authorized by someone using his name. The person submitting the prescriptions for drugs had given a false Coupeville address.

The doctor contacted the Coupeville Marshal’s Office, requesting an investigation. Deputy Marshal Chris Peabody identified a suspect believed to be involved in the fraud.

“Deputy Peabody did really outstanding investigative work,” Marshal Lance Davenport said.

Peabody declined to comment about the case as the investigation is still under way. He also declined to be photographed for this news item.

The same suspect was later arrested during a narcotics bust in Tacoma, Davenport said. Additional cases linked to the same suspect are pending in Anacortes, Mount Vernon, Poulsbo and a half dozen other Washington communities.

Davenport said he’s hoping the various law-enforcement agencies can consolidate their cases and submit the information to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency so that charges can be filed.

“This was an outstanding investigation,” Davenport said. “It touches us lightly, but had regional impact.”