On Wednesday, a 39-year-old Brooklyn man admitted to participating in a drug distribution operation that included heroin, fentanyl, and a fentanyl analog that ultimately led to the death of actor Michael K. Williams.
“Irvin Cartagena sold fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy,” US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “In doing so, he dealt the fatal dose that killed Michael K. Williams.
This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable the dealers who push this poison, exploit addiction, and cause senseless death in our community.” Prosecutors allege that between August 2020 and February 2022, “Green Eyes” Cartagena was a member of a cocaine trafficking group based in Brooklyn.
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Williams was sold fentanyl-laced heroin and a fentanyl analog by Cartagena and the other members of the group in September 2021. According to a press release by the Justice Department, Cartagena, and the others continued selling the heroin “in broad daylight” despite knowing Williams had died.
Three other men, ages 57, 56, and 70, were arrested in February 2022 on similar charges of supplying fentanyl-laced heroin. This Monday, Macci pled guilty to a reduced charge, while the trials against Robles and Cruz continue. Williams, 54 at the time of his death in September 2021 from an overdose of fentanyl-laced heroin, was famous for his appearances in The Wire and Lovecraft County.
Actress Kerry Washington honored Williams onstage at the 2021 Emmys. “Michael was a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being who has left us far too soon,” she said. “Michael, I know you’re here; you wouldn’t miss this. Your excellence and artistry will endure. We love you.“
Dealer pleads guilty in death of actor Michael K. Williams https://t.co/Ydqh0Nz7hD
— WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@WTAE) April 6, 2023
Spike Lee, The Rock, Joel McHale, and many others took to social media to express their sadness over Williams’ passing. While working on The Wire, Williams admitted to NPR in 2016 that his addiction was at its worst, but he was able to find help at a church in New Jersey.
The Justice Department has stated that Cartagena faces a minimum of five years in jail and a maximum of forty years as a result of his guilty plea.
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