Irvin Cartagena, Fentanyl Trafficking, New York 2021

Defendant Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Trafficking Case

A Brooklyn man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl-laced heroin in New York City, resulting in the overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams.

Irvin Cartagena, a/k/a ‘Green Eyes,’ 39, of Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams in the Southern District of New York.

According to court filings, Cartagena distributed the fentanyl-laced heroin that resulted in the death of Michael K. Williams on September 5, 2021. Despite knowing that Williams died after being sold the DTO’s product, Cartagena and his co-conspirators continued to sell fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight amidst residential apartment buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said, ‘Irvin Cartagena sold fentanyl-laced heroin in broad daylight in New York City, feeding addiction and causing tragedy. In doing so, he dealt the fatal dose that killed Michael K. Williams. This Office and our law enforcement partners will continue to hold accountable the dealers who push this poison, exploit addiction, and cause senseless death in our community.’

The statutory minimum and maximum penalties for Cartagena’s crime are five years and 40 years in prison, respectively. As part of his guilty plea, Cartagena stipulated that the substances he conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute resulted in the death of Michael K. Williams.

The case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Micah Fergenson and David Robles are in charge of the prosecution.

The New York City Police Department and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Intelligence Analysts are being praised for their outstanding work in bringing Cartagena to justice.

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