Audio By Carbonatix
Irvin Cartagena, the New York City drug dealer accused of providing the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed actor Michael K. Williams, received a 10-year prison sentence on Friday, according to Associated Press.
U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams sentenced Cartagena, who pleaded guilty in April of this year, to conspire to distribute the drugs.
The Wire actor was 54 years old when he passed in September 2021 after taking heroin laced with fentanyl he purchased from a Brooklyn drug dealing crew.
Williams' body was found with drug paraphernalia and glassine bags marked "AAA Insurance" inside his Brooklyn apartment. The medical examiner determined his death was a drug overdose due to a lethal combination of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
Irvin Cartagena, also known as "Green Eyes," was initially charged with narcotics conspiracy resulting in death but took a guilty plea carrying a lesser prison sentence between 24 to 30 years, as reported by the New York Times.
"I knew my actions were wrong and against the law," Cartagena told Judge Ronnie Abrams through a Spanish interpreter during his plea. "I am very sorry for my actions."
Prosecutors claimed Cartagena and the three other defendants in the case - Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci - kept selling heroin mixed with fentanyl after Williams succumbed to a fatal overdose.
Cartagena's sentencing arrived after his dealing partner Carlos Macci received two and a half years in prison and three years of supervised release relating to the case.
The Wire creator David Simon submitted a plea letter asking for leniency following the maximum 20-year sentence that Macci faced.
Simon's letter claimed Williams wouldn't have wanted Macci to receive a heavy sentence because no one bears fuller responsibility for the crime than the actor.
He also wrote that Macci was a victim of addiction, much like Williams, who was seen on security footage purchasing the drugs in Brooklyn with Macci present at the scene.
Latest Stories
-
8 teachers, invigilators convicted over 2025 BECE malpractice — Education Minister
26 seconds -
From Pulpit to Timeline: The ‘Generational Curse’ Sermon That Broke Ghana’s Internet
5 minutes -
BoG financial position raises credibility concerns ahead of IMF programme exit — Prof Bokpin
12 minutes -
DVLA records 67% revenue surge in first quarter of 2026
18 minutes -
Senyo Hosi: The BoG ‘loss’ that saved the economy
23 minutes -
We remain policy solvent despite GH¢15.6bn operating loss and negative equity – BoG
35 minutes -
ECOWAS clashes with Ghana over new airport taxes, warns of damage to regional aviation
44 minutes -
Oppong Nkrumah urges urgent BoG recapitalisation, warns against political interference
48 minutes -
NPP national youth wing sends best wishes to 2026 BECE candidates
54 minutes -
The Genetic Panopticon: The dangerous reality of mandating newborn DNA
1 hour -
John Jinapor encourages Yapei-Kusawgu BECE candidates to stay focused
1 hour -
Health professionals raise concern over rise in non-communicable diseases in Ashanti Region
1 hour -
Kaba and Slit Festival 4.0 celebrates Ghanaian heritage with elegance
1 hour -
Education Minister begins BECE monitoring tour in Sefwi
1 hour -
AFCON final referee appointed for CAF Champions League final
2 hours