Michael Kuilan was sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to supplying fentanyl-laced heroin that led to the overdose death of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili. Gentili, 52, was found dead in her New York City home. Kuilan's accomplice, Antonio Venti, received a five-year sentence after expressing remorse for Gentili's death. The U.S. Attorney emphasized accountability for drug dealers contributing to the fentanyl crisis, while celebrating Gentili's advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and safer living conditions for marginalized communities.
"Cecilia Gentili was tragically poisoned from fentanyl-laced heroin," U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said in the release. "Today, the perpetrators who sold the deadly drugs to Gentili are being held accountable."
Kuilan pleaded guilty... to a charge that he distributed heroin and fentanyl and possessed the drugs with intent to distribute... with three prior felony convictions for drug offenses.
Venti pleaded guilty... to the same drug charge... Cogan sentenced him to five years, after he expressed remorse over the death of Gentili, whom he considered a close friend.
Gentili was an advocate for the rights of trans people, immigrants, and sex workers. Born in Argentina, she came to the U.S. to live a safer life as a trans woman.
Collection
[
|
...
]