Two Individuals Plead Guilty to Distributing Heroin and Fentanyl that Caused the Death of a Transgender Activist

Press Release

Cecilia Gentili Died on February 6, 2024 After Using Lethal Drugs Sold by the Defendants

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Michael Kuilan pled guilty before United States District Judge Brian M. Cogan to a charge that he distributed and possessed with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. The plea arises out of Kuilan's distribution of narcotics that led to the death of Cecilia Gentili. Kuilan also pled guilty to a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On July 30, 2024, Kuilan's co-defendant, Antonio Venti, pled guilty before Judge Cogan to the same drug offense. Kuilan and Venti were indicted together in March 2024.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino, III, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Thomas G. Donlon, Interim Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the plea.

"The perpetrators of the tragic poisoning of Cecilia Gentili, a prominent leader of the New York transgender community, have now both admitted their guilt in selling the lethal drugs that have caused this heartbreaking death," stated United States Attorney Peace. "These drugs, heroin and fentanyl, have caused so much pain throughout our community. I hope this case will bring a sense of closure to Gentili's family and serve as a warning that this Office will be relentless in holding fentanyl dealers accountable."

"While these guilty pleas can't undo the tragic loss of transgender rights activist Cecelia Gentili, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for drug related deaths face the consequences for their actions, and the families of those who lost their lives receive justice. The men and women of DEA New York Division, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to target those responsible for poisoning our communities" stated DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino.

"The resolution of this case should serve as a warning to those who seek to profit from the distribution of fentanyl-laced drugs in our communities," stated Interim NYPD Commissioner Donlon. "Dedicated investigators from all levels of government are working together every day to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals involved in these heinous crimes. I commend the collaborative efforts of the NYPD, DEA, and the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for their ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of all New Yorkers."

According to court documents and facts presented at the guilty plea proceeding, on February 6, 2024, Gentili was found dead in her bedroom in Brooklyn. Gentili died due to the combined effect of controlled substances, including fentanyl, xylazine, cocaine, and heroin. Text messages, cell site data, and other evidence revealed that Venti sold the fentanyl and heroin mixture to Gentili on February 5, 2024, and that Kuilan supplied Venti with those lethal narcotics. As part of their plea agreements, Kuilan and Venti agreed that they caused Gentili's death. In addition, law enforcement searched an apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn belonging to Kuilan and found hundreds of baggies of fentanyl, as well as a handgun and ammunition.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Amir is in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Samuel Ronchetti.

The <_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Defendant" datavalue="Defendant"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="Defendants" datavalue="Defendants">Defendants:

MICHAEL KUILAN
Age: 44
Brooklyn, New York

ANTONIO VENTI
Age: 52
West Babylon, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-130 (BMC)

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Updated September 23, 2024