Michael K. Williams’ Accused Drug Dealers Plead "Not Guilty" In Court
The alleged drug dealers accused of selling actor Michael K. Williams’ fatal fentanyl-laced heroin have pleaded not guilty in the case against them on Wednesday (Mar. 2).
According to the New York Post, suspects Irving Cartagena, Hector Robles, Luis Cruz and Carlos Macci each entered their pleas at a brief hearing in Manhattan federal court. They all were charged with narcotics conspiracy resulting in death and will remain behind bars pending trial.
Judge Ronnie Abrams will oversee the court hearing on June 10.
Cell phone records, lab reports, social media posts and records from the medical examiner will be provided by prosecutors ahead of the trial, the Post notes.
BET previously reported New York City’s medical examiner ruled that the 54-year-old, best known for playing the role of Omar Little the HBO TV series The Wire, died of acute drug intoxication. He was found dead by members of his family in his penthouse apartment. However, at that time, the medical examiner’s office ruled Williams’ death an accident.
Law enforcement sources discovered drug paraphernalia at his apartment where his body was found, which is why it was believed he died from a possible overdose.
The Brooklyn native was also famous for his roles as Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire and Montrose Freeman in HBO’s Lovecraft Country, which earned him his fifth Emmy nomination.
Cartegena, Robles, Cruz, and Macci face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
