Two plead guilty to drug charges after activist found dead in Brooklyn home – NBC New York

Two men have pleaded guilty to supplying the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed prominent New York transgender activist Cecilia Gentili earlier this year, federal prosecutors said Monday.

Michael Kuilan, 44, pleaded guilty in federal court in Brooklyn on Monday to selling and possessing heroin and fentanyl with the intent to resell, according to the office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace. Antonio Venti, 52, pleaded guilty to the same charge in July.

As part of their plea agreements, the men admitted to causing Gentili's death, according to prosecutors. They said text messages, cellphone data and other evidence showed that Kuilan, a Brooklyn resident, supplied Venti, a Long Island resident, with drugs, which he then sold to Gentili.

During the search of Kuilan's home, police officers also found hundreds of small bags of fentanyl, a pistol and ammunition.

“While these guilty pleas cannot undo the tragic loss of transgender rights activist Cecelia Gentili, they send a message that we will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible for drug-related deaths face the consequences of their actions and that justice is served for the families of those who lost their lives,” said Frank Tarentino, special agent in charge of the New York office of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

A former sex worker, Gentili became a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people living with HIV. She also starred in the FX television series “Pose,” which explores the underground ballroom dancing scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

Her well-attended funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan sparked outrage among parts of the Catholic community, including the pastor of the venerable church himself.

Gentili was found dead in her bedroom on February 6, a day after buying drugs from Venti. Prosecutors say the 52-year-old Brooklyn woman's death was due to the combined effects of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine and cocaine.

The verdict against Kuilan is expected to be announced in January, and the verdict against Venti next month. Lawyers for both men did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday.