Michael K. Williams' Drug Dealer Cops To Selling Actor Deadly Heroin

NEW YORK CITY — A drug dealer known as "Green Eyes" who sold actor Michael K. Williams a deadly bag of heroin has copped to a federal drug dealing charge, prosecutors said.

Irvin Cartagena, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue.

The conspiracy charge stems from Cartagena's hand-to-hand drug deal with Williams in 2021, during which "The Wire" actor bought a bag of heroin that turned out to be laced with fentanyl, authorities said.

The bag contained a fatal dose that killed Williams, said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.

“Irvin Cartagena sold fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy," he said in a statement.

Williams, an acclaimed actor who openly talked about his struggles with addiction, had visited a Williamsburg apartment building along Third Street on Sept. 5, 2021, authorities said.

The apartment complex near Roebling Street was where Cartagena and members of a drug dealing crew openly sold heroin, prosecutors said.

After Williams' fatal overdose, Cartagena and the crew continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight near apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan, authorities said.

Cartagena's charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison. He faces up to 40 years in prison when he's sentenced at a future hearing.