UPDATE
Aug 19, 2023 9:03 AM CDT
The individual responsible for selling drugs to Michael K. Williams, resulting in his tragic death, has received a 10-year federal prison sentence. Michael K. Williams, renowned for his roles in “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire,” passed away after consuming fentanyl-laced heroin purchased from Irvin Cartagena in Brooklyn on September 5, 2021. Judge Ronnie Abrams acknowledged that Cartagena, one of four individuals who pleaded guilty in the case, was aware of the fentanyl-laced drug, while Williams was oblivious, as reported by the New York Times. Cartagena, 40 years old, expressed remorse for his actions, stating, “When we sold the drugs, we never intended for anyone to lose their life.” In the previous month, a 72-year-old man arrested in connection with Williams’ death was sentenced to 2.5 years.
Apr 5, 2023 5:12 PM CDT
On Wednesday, a drug dealer from Brooklyn pleaded guilty to providing fentanyl-laced heroin to actor Michael K. Williams, known for his role in “The Wire,” which ultimately led to his death. Irvin Cartagena entered a guilty plea for conspiring to distribute drugs in a Manhattan federal court. US District Judge Ronnie Abrams scheduled the sentencing for August 18, where Cartagena faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years, according to the AP. The acclaimed actor, who also appeared in films and other TV series including “Boardwalk Empire,” suffered an overdose in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment in September 2021. Law enforcement stated that he died shortly after purchasing heroin from Cartagena in a deal caught on a security camera on a Brooklyn sidewalk.
At the age of 39, Cartagena signed a plea agreement with prosecutors admitting that the mixture of heroin and fentanyl he sold to Williams caused his death. Cartagena’s attorney, Sean Maher, declined to comment. US Attorney Damian Williams (no relation to the actor) stated that the sale took place in “broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy.” Williams declared, “In doing so, he dealt the fatal dose that killed Michael K. Williams.” Prosecutors revealed that Cartagena and his alleged co-conspirators continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan even after learning about the actor’s passing. Another defendant in the case pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
Williams’ demise occurred despite an investigation conducted by the New York Police Department, which involved a paid informant making controlled heroin purchases on the same block where Williams bought drugs. The day after Williams’ death, the informant returned to buy more drugs from the same group and recorded a conversation in which several individuals discussed Williams’ overdose.
(Read more The Wire stories.)
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