Man pleads guilty to drug dealing in Michael K. Williams overdose case
A man who prosecutors claim dealt drugs to Michael K. Williams before the actor died of an overdose has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute drugs.
Irvin Cartagena, 39, pleaded guilty in New York City on Wednesday in connection to The Wire star's fatal 2021 overdose, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York.
Cartagena now faces a mandatory minimum five year prison term and could be jailed for up to 40 years.
He was facing additional charges and potentially life in prison but made a plea deal that led to him accepting one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin.
Prosecutors slammed Cartagena by saying that after the sale of fentanyl-laced heroin to Williams happened in "broad daylight" and that similar deals continued to happen even after the star's death.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement: “Irvin Cartagena sold fentanyl-laced heroin 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. 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.”
The Boardwalk Empire star's body was found in his home on 6 September 2021. His official cause of death was stated as being an accidental overdose.
Cartagena's sentencing is scheduled for 18 August.
