A New York City drug dealer who supplied a deadly dose of fentanyl-laced heroin to actor Michael K. Williams has pleaded guilty.
The case dates back to September 2021, when surveillance footage shows Williams purchasing drugs in his Brooklyn neighborhood from Irvin Cartagena.
Williams, who is best known for his roles in the popular TV shows "The Wire" and "Boardwalk Empire," was later found dead in his apartment from an apparent overdose.
Cartagena, 39, was arrested in Puerto Rico last year and entered a plea agreement with prosecutors in exchange for lesser charges.
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Prosecutors said Cartagena and his co-conspirators were aware of Williams' death, but continued to sell the fentanyl-laced heroin around Brooklyn and Manhattan.
"This is a public health crisis. And it has to stop," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said. "Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don’t care about who you are or what you’ve accomplished. They just feed addiction and lead to tragedy."
Cartagena faces a mandatory sentence of five years in prison with the possibility of up to 40 years behind bars.
