New York, NY — Two men have been charged in connection with the death of transgender activist Cecilia Gentili, who died from fentanyl-laced heroin in February, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Michael Kuilan and Antonio Venti face multiple felony charges related to the distribution and possession of fentanyl and heroin. Kuilan is also facing an additional charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.
“Cecilia Gentili, a prominent activist and leader of the New York transgender community, was tragically poisoned in her Brooklyn home from fentanyl-laced heroin,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in a statement. “Today, the alleged perpetrators who sold the deadly dose of drugs to Gentili have been arrested.”
Gentili, 52, was a well-known advocate for transgender rights, sex workers, and people with HIV/AIDS. Her death on February 6 sent shockwaves through New York’s LGBTQ+ community. Gentili’s funeral, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, attracted over 1,000 mourners, despite later condemnation from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.
The night before her death, Gentili reportedly told her partner she wasn’t feeling well after returning home. She was found unresponsive the next morning and pronounced dead later that day. A medical examiner determined she died of acute intoxication due to a mixture of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine, and cocaine, with lethal amounts of fentanyl and heroin in her system.
According to prosecutors, Venti allegedly sold the fentanyl-laced heroin to Gentili on February 5, supplied by Kuilan. Authorities used text messages, cell phone data, and other evidence to link the suspects to the crime. A search of Kuilan’s apartment revealed hundreds of baggies of fentanyl, a handgun, and ammunition.
Venti’s attorney, Joseph Turco, referred to Gentili’s death as an “accident,” expressing condolences to her family. “Our hearts and prayers go to the activist’s family. The situation is a big problem in America, no question about that,” he said.
Kuilan’s attorney, Howard Greenberg, denied any connection between his client and Gentili, stating, “Michael Kuilan does not know this person in any way, shape, manner, or form.”
Both men are scheduled to appear in court again on April 22.
