Michael K. Williams’ Fatal Overdose Leads To 4 Arrests

Four men have been arrested for allegedly being a part of a drug trafficking organization that lead to the death of Michael K. Williams.

The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office determined Williams died from an accidental overdose, and investigators later found out that the organization sold deadly fentanyl-laced heroin to the actor.

Irvin Cartagena, 39, Hector Robles, 57, Luis Cruz, 56, and Carlos Macci, 70, were arrested on Tuesday and were each charged with “conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin,” according court filings. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years.

According to prosecutors, the four men allegedly continued selling fentanyl-laced heroin in Manhattan and Brooklyn even after learning of Williams’ death.

Cartagena, who personally gave Williams the drug could be facing a minimum of 20 years in prison if found guilty.

Cartagena will be arraigned Thursday in Puerto Rico, where he was arrested, while Robles, Cruz, and Macci will be arraigned on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court. 

“Deadly opioids like fentanyl and heroin don’t care about who you are or what you’ve accomplished,” said US Attorney Damian Williams in a statement. “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.”

Williams was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment on Sept. 6, 2021.