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Who killed Michael K Williams? 4 men arrested for selling late actor fentanyl-laced heroin

Williams, the actor from 'The Wire' who overdosed just hours after buying fentanyl-laced heroin in a deal was recorded on a security camera video
PUBLISHED FEB 3, 2022
Actor Michael Kenneth Williams poses for a portrait during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Actor Michael Kenneth Williams poses for a portrait during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK CITY: Irvin Cartegena has been identified as the man who sold late actor Michael K. Williams a deadly batch of fentanyl-laced heroin. The 39-year-old accused is a repeat offender who was arrested at least twice on drug-related charges but was released under the New York bail reform policy. Three others have also been charged for selling the ‘Moment’ actor fentanyl-laced heroin outside his New York apartment in Williamsburg, on September 5 last year.

Prosecutors announced Cartegena’s arrest along with three other accused who they say peddled the deadly drug that killed William last September. The actor who received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Omar Little, the sawed-off-shotgun-wielding stickup man on the HBO series ‘The Wire’, was found dead on Monday, September 6. The sale of the fatal batch of heroin that killed William was also caught on camera. In the video, William is seen walking up to Cartagena and then casually exchanging cash for an envelope of drugs.

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The accused, Cartegena, has a history of drug-related offenses. He was last arrested for drug sale and weapon possession of a controlled substance in August 2020. However, Cartegena managed to avoid jail time by pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and was later released without bail two times under the lenient New York's bail reform system. The other three Brooklyn-based co-conspirators who the prosecutor claim was involved have been named as Hector Robles, 57, Luis Cruz, 56, and Carlos Macci, 70. The three accused were also arrested Tuesday, February 1 in New York. Law enforcement officials of the southern district of New York revealed that the four accused were part of a drug trafficking organization since August 2020, operating in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Michael K. Williams is seen in his award show look for the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on March 31, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the 2021 SAG Awards will be a one-hour, pre-taped event airing April 4 on TNT and TBS. (Photo by Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images)

Their drug ring primarily dealt with fentanyl and heroin-laced fentanyl which they sold outside of the apartment, where Cartagena, alias Green Eyes, met up with Williams on September 5, 2021, a day before the actor died. Cops held some months-long sting operation, during which a paid informant working for the NYPD had been making controlled buys of heroin on the same block where Williams purchased his drugs. An undercover police officer made one purchase just days before the actor bought his fatal dose, court papers said, reports The Guardian. The day after the actor’s death, the NYPD’s informant went back to buy more drugs from the same group, recording a conversation in which some members of the crew talked about Williams‘ overdose.

The actor, who ironically gained fame as the drug dealer Omar Little in the drama series ‘The Wire’, was found by his nephew facedown and unconscious in the living room of his Williamsburg apartment. He was later declared dead by the medics who rushed to the scene. 

Michael K. Williams poses for the 2021 Critics Choice Awards on March 07, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Getty images)

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is said to cause death when taken in unregulated doses or when mixed with other substances. All four men are charged with a prison sentence of 40 years for the conspiracy to distribute and possess, with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin, which carries a maximum prison sentence. Cartagena was further charged with causing the actor’s death, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison.

Keechant Sewell, Commissioner NYPD said detectives have been diligently working on the prominent actor’s case since September to help bring justice to Williams and his family. '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. The Southern District of New York and our law enforcement partners will not give up. We will bring every tool to bear. And we will continue to hold accountable the dealers who push this poison, exploit addiction, and cause senseless death’ said Damian Williams U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

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