Four men have been arrested and charged in relation to the drug overdose death of actor Micahel K. Williams (The Wire, Black Market with Michael K. Williams), according to USA Today. Williams, known for his Emmy-nominated role on HBO’s breakthrough hit, Lovecraft Country, was found dead in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment in September of last year. Health officials had originally ruled his death an accident. However, an extensive investigation by the New York Police uncovered a drug ring that led to the selling of fentanyl-laced heroin that ultimately killed Williams.
According to USA Today, the alleged suspect at the center of the overt drug operation is Irvin Cartagena. Cartagena was arrested in Puerto Rico and is being held for a court appearance set for Thursday. In a news release from U.S. Attorney Damian Williams and NYC Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, Cartagena is accused of belonging to a drug-trafficking organization known as DTO. As of August 2020, the operation had been allegedly pushing fentanyl-laced heroin and other substances in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. In addition to Cartagena, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci were arrested Tuesday in connection to the drug syndicate. They appeared in court today.
In a statement, Attorney Williams stated how Cartagena and his alleged accomplices’ crimes were a “public health crisis,” according to USA Today. “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,” Williams stated.
In the news release, law enforcement announced they had video surveillance footage of Cartagena allegedly handing Williams a bag of substances on September 5. The two of them appeared to meet on the street, blocks away from the actor’s apartment building. Officers allege the video displayed Williams and Cartagena conversing for a while before the transaction for drugs occurred. Hours later Williams would be dead, his body found by a family member the next day.
According to USA Today, the men affiliated with DTO continued the distribution of the drugs even after learning of Williams’ death. If convicted, Cartagena, a repeat offender, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life in prison. He was previously arrested in August of 2020 for a gun charge and was arrested in February of 2021 for state drug charges. He pleaded guilty to both and was sentenced to time served. The other three men who have not been identified in the video are facing five to 40 years.
According to Commissioner Sewell, detectives “lived this case, never relenting in their investigation until they could bring a measure of justice to Michael K. Williams and his family,” via USA Today. The 54-year-old actor was most known for his roles of darkly complicated characters. His breakout role as Omar Little in HBO’s The Wire drew him much acclaim. It also almost ruined his career as his portrayal of the stick-up anti-hero led to his own drug addiction. Later, he would wow audiences again with appearances in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and limited series The Night Of and Netflix’s When They See Us. Williams’ final role before his death was in true-life drama, 892, which debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.