Michael K. Williams in March 2021.Photo:Rodrigo Varela/Getty
Rodrigo Varela/Getty
A third man involved in the drug-dealing crew linked toMichael K. Williams’death on Sept. 6, 2021was sentenced to five years in prison on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Luis Cruz was the third person to be sentenced among four defendants involved in distributingfentanyl-laced heroin that led to the actor’s accidental overdosein his Brooklyn penthouse,according to USA Today. The12 Years a Slaveactor, who was 54, bought the heroin from another crew member and died four hours later, authorities said, per the outlet.
Cruz, who admitted to a reduced charge of narcotics conspiracy in April, received the jail term from a federal judge in Manhattan,NBC New Yorkreported.
On or about September 5, 2021, members of the DTO sell Michael K. Williams heroin, which was laced with fentanyl.US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York
US Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York
Deborah Colson, Cruz’s attorney, said he “accepted responsibility and provided a genuine, heartfelt apology,” per theAssociated Press.
Cruz — a former electrician — wrote “it was a terrible mistake in judgment” in a letter to the judge, explaining that he was a drug addict and dealt drugs to fund his addiction, per NBC New York.
Michael K. Williams attends the Los Angeles premiere of MGM’s “Respect” in 2021.Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
Cruz’s attorney, Deborah Colson, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New Yorkannounced in Septemberthat Irvin Cartagena, 40, from Aibonito, Puerto Rico, wassentenced to 10 years in prison, plus five years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogue.
In July, 72-year-oldCarlos Macci was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison— along with three years of supervised release — in connection to Williams’ death,according to NBC News.
Macci and three other men belonged to theDTO, an alleged drug-trafficking groupbeforefacing chargesof conspiring to distribute and possess fentanyl analogue, fentanyl, and heroin.
In a 3-page letter, Macci wrote, “No possible good can come from incarcerating a (72-year-old) soul, largely illiterate, who has himself struggled with a lifetime of addiction and who has not engaged in street-level sales of narcotics with ambitions of success and profit but rather as someone caught up in the diaspora of addiction himself,” per NBC News.
The outlet reported that although U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams acknowledged Macci’s sentiments, she told him in court that selling heroin “not only cost Mr. Williams his life, but it’s costing you your freedom.”
Per theAssociated Press, Macci said, “I would like to say, your honor, I’m sorry for what has happened.”
source: people.com
