Drug dealer admits to giving The Wire's Michael K Williams drugs that killed him
A Brooklyn drug dealer has pleaded guilty to providing Michael K Williams with the fentanyl-laced heroin which caused his death.
Irvin Cartagena, 39, faces up to 40 years in prison following his admission in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday.
Sentencing was set by US District Judge Ronnie Abrams for August 18, when Cartagena will face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and the possibility of as many as 40 years.
The Wire star was found dead at his home in September 2021 at the age of 54 after he accidentally overdosed.
Authorities said he died hours after buying the heroin from Cartagena on a Brooklyn sidewalk. The deal was recorded by a security camera.
Best cop and criminal duos from Holmes and Moriarty to DCI Ted Hastings and 'H'
Michael K. Williams died after an accidental drug overdose (AFP via Getty Images)
Irvin Cartagena has pleaded guilty to supplying the drugs (Department of Justice)Cartagena signed a plea agreement with prosecutors admitting that the mix of heroin and fentanyl he sold Williams resulted in his death.
US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement that the sale occurred in "broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy."
"In doing so, he dealt the fatal dose that killed Michael K. Williams," he said.
Prosecutors said Cartagena and his alleged co-conspirators continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin around residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan even after learning of the actor's death.
Another defendant in the case pleaded guilty Tuesday.
Another defendant also pleaded guilty (Department of Justice)Williams death came despite an investigation by the New York Police Department which placed a paid informant making controlled heroin buys on the same block where the actor had bought drugs.
The day after, the informant went back to buy more drugs from the same group and recorded a conversation in which some of them talked about Williams' overdose. One denied selling any drugs containing fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that is used as a pain medication and is known to be highly addictive due to its potency.
While the drug is similar to morphine, it is reported as being as high as 50 to 100 times stronger and can cause death if mixed with other substances or if too high a dose is administered.
The iconic actor became addicted to cocaine in 2004, with Williams admitting he was "playing with fire."
The Wire star Al Brown dies aged 83 after Alzheimer's battle
Speaking to the New Jersey Star-Ledger in 2012, Williams said: "I was playing with fire, it was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead.
"When I look back on it now, I don’t know how I didn't end up in a body bag."
Prior to his death, the actor had been due to attend the Emmy Awards after he was nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Montrose Freeman in the HBO series Lovecraft Country.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
