Michael K Williams death: Drug dealer pleads guilty to providing The Wire actor with fentanyl-laced heroin
A man has pleaded guilty to providing actor Michael K Williams with fentanyl-laced heroin, which resulted in his death in 2021.
Irvin Cartagena, 39, sold the drugs in “broad daylight” in New York City, according to lawyer Damien Williams, who said he was “feeding addiction and causing tragedy”.
“In doing so, he dealt the fatal dose that killed Michael K Williams,” the lawyer added.
The Wire star was found dead at his home at the age of 54 after an overdose in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment.
Cartagena pleaded guilty and signed an agreement with prosecutors stipulating that the mix of heroin and fentanyl he sold to Williams resulted in his death.
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Prosecutors said Cartagena and his alleged co-conspirators continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin around residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan even after they learned of the actor’s death.
Cartagena’s plea to a charge of conspiring to distribute drugs was entered in Manhattan federal court.
His sentencing is set for 18 August, when Cartagena will face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and the possibility of as many as 40 years.
Another defendant in the case pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
‘A measure of justice’
Williams’s death came despite the New York Police Department launching an investigation which involved a paid informant making controlled heroin buys on the same block where the actor bought drugs.
The day after his death, the informant went back to buy more drugs from the same group and recorded a conversation in which some of them talked about Williams’s overdose.
One denied selling any drugs containing fentanyl.
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Last year, four men were charged in Manhattan federal court over a narcotics conspiracy, alleging the distribution of fentanyl-laced heroin.
Cartagena was arrested in Puerto Rico and charged with a narcotics conspiracy that same year.
At the time, New York City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said police detectives in Brooklyn “lived this case, never relenting in their investigation until they could bring a measure of justice to Michael K Williams and his family”.
Who was Michael K Williams?
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Williams left school early to pursue a career as a dancer and worked with high-profile stars including Madonna and George Michael.
He later found himself acting alongside Tupac Shakur in the 1996 film Bullet.
Williams, an Emmy-nominated actor and producer, rose to prominence in 2002 through his critically acclaimed role as Omar Little in The Wire, which even caught the attention of former US President Barack Obama, who praised his work.
The star was also known for his role as Albert “Chalky” White on the hit series Broadwalk Empire from 2010 to 2014.
Soon after the actor’s death, tributes poured in from friends and colleagues in the world of entertainment – and in a statement, HBO, the network where Williams grew as an actor, said his death was an “immeasurable loss”.
It said: “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael Kenneth Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years.
“While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss.”
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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