Michael Kuilan, a Brooklyn man with a history of state felony convictions for heroin sales, has been handed a 19-year prison sentence. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Kuilan sold a fentanyl and heroin mixture that led to the fatal overdose of LGBTQ activist Cecilia Gentili. Gentili, a prominent figure in the New York activist community, was found deceased from intoxication by multiple substances, including fentanyl and heroin, on February 6, 2024.
The conviction underlines not only the grave consequences of the narcotics trade but also the justice system's intent to vigorously pursue and prosecute those involved in distributing lethal drugs. "Cecilia Gentili was tragically poisoned from fentanyl-laced heroin. Today, the perpetrators who sold the deadly drugs to Gentili are being held accountable," said United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, emphasizing their commitment to relentlessly prosecuting fentanyl dealers. It was on February 5, 2024, that text messages evidenced Gentili purchased drugs from Antonio Venti, who in turn had sourced them from Kuilan, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Brian M. Cogan has ordered Kuilan to pay $24,482 in restitution, forfeit $30,000, as well as a seized firearm. He is to also serve a concurrent 15-year sentence for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon. During the probe that followed Gentili's death, authorities found an apartment in Williamsburg linked to Kuilan. It contained significant quantities of fentanyl, a handgun, and ammunition.
Antonio Venti, a co-defendant in this series of events, was sentenced on February 12, to five years' imprisonment for his role in supplying Gentili with the lethal drugs. This case was processed by the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section of the United States Attorney's Office, with Assistant United States Attorney Adam Amir to lead the prosecution, backed by Paralegal Specialist Samuel Ronchetti.
