Four men have been charged in the death of The Wire actor Michael K Williams, who was found dead last year. Once ruled an accident by medical examiners, a New York City police department investigation led police to arrest four suspects.
Williams met his faith on September 6th, when he suddenly died in Brooklyn following an overdose of fentanyl-laced heroin. The actor was best known for his role in hit series, The Wire, where he portrayed viewers favourite, Omar Little.
Speaking via a press release, the Guardian's Damian Williams said; “Michael K Williams, a prominent actor and producer, tragically overdosed in his New York City apartment from fentanyl-laced heroin.”
“Today, along with our law enforcement partners at the NYPD, we announce the arrests of members of a drug crew, including Irvin Cartagena, the man who we allege sold the deadly dose of drugs to Michael K Williams. This is a public health crisis. And it has to stop.”
Following heavy surveillance, long before the death of Michael K Williams, federal prosecutors felt they had enough on the suspects to bring the charges forward. According to court papers, a paid informant - working for the NYPD - had been making controlled buys of heroin near Williams’ apartment. Undercover police also made a purchase several days before the actor bought his own dose, according to court papers.
New York City Police Commissioner, Keechant Sewell said 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.”
Charges against the four men, revealed as; Irvin Cartagena, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz, and Carlos Macci, carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison. The gang also face charges which would see those involved serve a maximum sentence of 40 years.
At the time of Williams’ death, creator of The Wire - David Simon penned a fitting tribute to the star, before taking to Twitter and posting a tribute in the New York Times.
“A short remembrance for a talent, a genuine collaborator and a true friend. What I hope never gets lost is the awareness that Mike genuinely wanted his work to matter; not for fame or reward, but for leaving us all better humans in its wake,” he wrote.
