On Tuesday, a 72-year-old connected to the death of actor Michael K. Williams was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
In addition to his 30-month prison sentence, Carlos Macci will receive three years of supervised release, and he must attend an inpatient drug treatment facility for the first year.
Although Macci was facing a possible 20-year sentence, The Wire creator David Simon wrote a plea letter to the court pleading for leniency.
Federal prosecutors suggested a minimum of four years in prison to “reflect the seriousness of the offense” and “deter future criminal conduct of this defendant and others who could sell deadly narcotics in the community.”
Simon’s letter argued against a heavy sentence for Macci, stating that Williams held more responsibility for the crime. He noted that both Macci and Williams were victims of addiction, as evidenced by security footage showing Williams purchasing drugs with Macci present.
“What happened to Mike is a grievous tragedy,” Simon, 63, wrote. “But I know that Michael would look upon the undone and desolate life of Mr. Macci and know two things with certainty: First, that it was Michael who bears the fuller responsibility for what happened.”
He continued, “No possible good can come from incarcerating a 71-year-old soul, largely illiterate, who has himself struggled with a lifetime of addiction.”
Four men, including Macci, were detained in connection with Williams’s drug-related death.
After consuming fentanyl-laced heroin obtained from Macci’s Brooklyn crew, the 54-year-old actor passed away in September 2021.
According to the prosecution, Macci and the other three defendants allegedly continued to sell heroin laced with fentanyl even after Williams’ deadly overdose.
