NEW YORK — Two men have pleaded guilty to supplying the fentanyl-laced heroin that led to the death of prominent New York City transgender activist, Cecilia Gentili, federal prosecutors announced Monday, Sept. 23.
Michael Kuilan, 44, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to charges of distributing and possessing heroin and fentanyl. His co-defendant, Antonio Venti, 52, entered a guilty plea in July to the same charge. The charges stem from the overdose death of Gentili, who died in February from a mix of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, and cocaine.
The pleas underscore the dangers posed by the continued rise of fentanyl-laced drugs in the U.S., a potent opioid contributing to thousands of overdose deaths annually. Text messages, cell site data, and other evidence presented by prosecutors showed that Kuilan, a resident of Brooklyn, supplied Venti, who then sold the drugs to Gentili.
Gentili was a well-known activist, author, and actor in the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for transgender rights and other marginalized groups. Her sudden death sent shockwaves through the community she worked so passionately to support.
A Tragic Loss for the LGBTQ+ Community
Gentili, 52, was found dead in her Brooklyn apartment on Feb. 6, the day after purchasing drugs from Venti. An autopsy confirmed that her death was due to a lethal combination of narcotics, including fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has fueled the U.S. overdose crisis. Law enforcement officers who searched Kuilan’s apartment uncovered hundreds of bags of fentanyl, a handgun, and ammunition, adding firearms charges to his case.
“While these guilty pleas can’t undo the tragic loss of transgender rights activist Cecilia Gentili, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for drug-related deaths face consequences,” said Frank Tarentino, special agent in charge of the New York office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Gentili’s death highlights the vulnerability of many within the transgender and LGBTQ+ communities who face systemic challenges, including inadequate healthcare and addiction services. Advocates have long warned of the heightened risk of substance use in marginalized communities, and Gentili had herself worked to address these issues through her advocacy and policy work.
A Life of Advocacy
Born in Argentina, Gentili moved to the United States as a young adult, seeking a safer environment to live openly as a transgender woman. Initially, she worked as a sex worker, a reality faced by many transgender individuals due to employment discrimination. Her lived experience later informed her advocacy work as she sought to improve conditions for others.
Gentili became a leader in the fight for transgender rights, particularly advocating for the rights of sex workers and people living with HIV. She was a key proponent of the New York State Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which was passed in 2019, offering protections to individuals based on their gender identity or expression.
As founder of Trans Equity Consulting, Gentili advised policymakers and organizations on issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. She previously served as the Director of Policy at Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and worked with Callen-Lorde, a leading LGBTQ+ healthcare provider in New York City.
Beyond her activism, Gentili was also an artist, with a recurring role on the hit FX series “Pose,” which chronicled the lives of LGBTQ+ people in the underground ballroom culture of the 1980s and 1990s. Her work on “Pose” allowed her to reach even wider audiences, making her an inspiring figure for transgender individuals across the globe.
A Funeral that Sparked Controversy
Gentili’s Feb. 15 funeral, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, was a symbolic yet contentious moment. As a transgender woman and former sex worker, her presence in the Catholic Church’s venerable institution raised objections from some conservative members, including Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York. He criticized the event for what he called “irreverence and disrespect,” prompting backlash from Gentili’s family and allies who saw her funeral as a powerful de fiance of religious hypocrisy toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Despite the controversy, Gentili’s funeral was a well-attended celebration of her life with a mix of sorrow and appreciation for her contributions. Her family issued a statement calling the church’s reaction “sanctimonious” and emphasized that Gentili had brought “precious life and radical joy to the cathedral in defiance of the church’s hypocrisy.”
The Legal Aftermath
Kuilan and Venti now await sentencing, facing the possibility of decades in federal prison. Kuilan, who is set to be sentenced in January 2025, could face up to 35 years in prison, though federal sentencing guidelines suggest he will likely receive between 22 and 27 years. Venti will be sentenced next month.
Both men admitted in their plea agreements that the drugs they distributed caused Gentili’s death, a rare and severe legal consequence that reflects the increasing focus of federal prosecutors on fentanyl-related cases.
“The perpetrators of the tragic poisoning of Cecilia Gentili have now both admitted their guilt,” said Breon Peace, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “These drugs 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.”
The broader issue of fentanyl’s devastating impact continues to plague the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is involved in nearly 70% of overdose deaths in the U.S.—most of which are linked to illegally manufactured forms of the drug.
An Enduring Legacy
In the months following her death, tributes have poured in for Gentili from across the world. Sarah Kate Ellis, president of GLAAD, called Gentili’s passing “a huge loss” for the community. “Cecilia impacted so many, especially those in the trans community in New York City and beyond,” she wrote.
Sean Coleman, executive director of Destination Tomorrow, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit, shared on social media: “Cecilia was THE ONE. She knew what to say, in just the right moment and tone to get you to think, or shift your mood completely.”
Gentili’s book, “Faltas: Letters to Everyone in My Hometown Who Isn’t My Rapist”, was released in 2022, offering deeply personal reflections on her experiences as a transgender immigrant and survivor of violence. Her voice continues to inspire, and her legacy as a trailblazer in the fight for transgender rights will remain an integral part of the LGBTQ+ movement.
While her death is a tragic reminder of the ongoing opioid epidemic, Cecilia Gentili’s life is a testament to the power of resilience, advocacy, and love within the transgender community.
