The man whom prosecutors claim caused Michael K. Williams‘ death by giving him dirty drugs has pled guilty in a plea deal … and could see serious prison time.
39-year-old Irvin Cartagena pleaded guilty Wednesday in NYC to one count of conspiring to distribute drugs in connection to the late actor’s fatal overdose from 2021. He now faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison … and could even see as many as 40.
Cartagena was facing additional charges and potentially life in prison … but ultimately pled guilty to just one.
Federal prosecutors slammed Cartagena after securing the guilty plea — as well as others who were arrested — by saying the sale of fentanyl-laced heroin brazenly happened in broad daylight … and that Cartagena and co. were preying on victims like Williams in Brooklyn.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams also claimed that the dealers continued to peddle drugs on the streets without a second thought … even after Williams died. A second defendant who was also arrested and charged last year reportedly pled guilty too.
As we reported … Williams’ body was found in his home, and his official cause of death ended up being an accidental overdose. His passing came as a shock to Hollywood. The actor was mostly known for his portrayal of Omar Little on “The Wire” — but his work went well beyond that, and he was acclaimed for his craft. He had publicly battled drug addiction.
Cartagena is scheduled to be sentenced in August.