Dealer gets 19 years in prison for providing drugs that killed prominent NYC transgender activist
NEW YORK — A New York City drug dealer who admitted providing the fentanyl-laced heroin that killed a prominent transgender activist was sentenced Tuesday to 19 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.
Michael Kuilan, 45, of Brooklyn, was also ordered to pay $24,482 in restitution and forfeit $30,000 and a seized firearm.
'Cecilia Gentili was tragically poisoned from fentanyl-laced heroin,' U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Joseph Nocella said in a statement. 'Today, the perpetrators who sold the deadly drugs to Gentili are being held accountable.'
Kuilan had three prior state felony convictions related to selling heroin before he pleaded guilty to the federal charges last year, according to prosecutors.
He faced up to 20 years in prison for the drug distribution charge and up to 35 years for unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon at his sentencing in Brooklyn federal court.
Kuilan's lawyer didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
His co-defendant, Antonio Venti, 53, of Long Island, was sentenced in February to five years in federal prison after also pleading guilty to the same drug offense last year.
Prosecutors said text messages, cell site data, and other evidence showed that Kuilan had supplied Venti with drugs that he then sold to Gentili.
The 52-year-old Brooklyn resident was found dead in her bedroom from the combined effect of fentanyl, heroin, xylazine and cocaine on Feb. 6, 2024 — the day after purchasing the drugs, according to prosecutors.
The former sex worker had been a leading advocate for other transgender people, as well as sex workers and people with HIV.
She also acted in the FX television series 'Pose,' about the underground ballroom dance scene in the 1980s and 1990s.
Gentili's well-attended funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan drew outrage from some in the Catholic community, including from the venerable church's own pastor.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
UK Accountant Sacked For Being Non-Catholic By Church
An accountant in the UK has successfully won a lawsuit against the Catholic diocese after she was sacked from her job for being non-Catholic. Janet Parker, 55, had a falling out with her boss after she requested leave to take care of her newly adopted daughter. The Bristol church did not approve her request and later fired her from her Rs 69 lakh-a-year role (approximately £60,000). As per Ms Parker, after rejecting her request, the Clifton Diocese subjected her to a 'witch hunt' investigation by the managers for alleged professional negligence, which ultimately led to the sacking. She added that the diocese's approach to her flexible working request was 'tainted by negative views of adoption, emanating from the religious beliefs of its staff'. "This behaviour is not in accordance with the professed beliefs of the Catholic Church," said Ms Parker, according to The Telegraph. "I know that the Catholic Church does not have a blemish-free history when it comes to adopted children or children in care, but I hoped that this kind of prejudice had been eradicated long ago. Maybe I am wrong." Church found guilty Details of the disciplinary hearing conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAEW) showed that the church was guilty of discrimination and harassment and ruled that it had unfairly sacked Ms Parker in 2021 because she was not religious. The tribunal described Ms Parker, a Cambridge University alumnus, as a "very intelligent, articulate and able woman", who had been a chartered accountant since 1998 and worked with Deloitte and Credit Suisse before moving to the charity sector in 2009. After being fired, Ms Parker sent an expletive-ridden message to her boss, Lyn Murray, which read: 'There is one thing I always wanted to say to you. Now I can. F*** OFF YOU B*TCH', and 'Your god might forgive you but I never will. B*tch.' Despite this, the employment tribunal judge backed Ms Parker's claims. Compensation for Ms Parker has yet to be set, and it is understood that the diocese is to appeal the ruling. Speaking after the ruling, Ms Parker said she had experienced "four years of hell", adding that she hates the Catholic church and that thet "cannot be trusted".
First Post
5 days ago
- First Post
Uganda: Bomb Blast Near Catholic Shrine In Kampala; 2 Terrorists Killed
Uganda: Bomb Blast Near Catholic Shrine In Kampala; 2 Terrorists Killed | Firstpost Africa Uganda: Bomb Blast Near Catholic Shrine In Kampala; 2 Terrorists Killed | Firstpost Africa A bomb blast rocked Uganda's capital, Kampala, near the Munyonyo Martyrs' Shrine just ahead of the country's annual Christian Martyrs' Day celebration. Two terrorists, including a female suicide bomber, were killed in the explosion. Authorities say the attack could have caused mass casualties as pilgrims gathered to pray. Security forces suspect links to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an ISIS-affiliated group operating out of eastern DRC. While no group has claimed responsibility, the incident has raised fears of a broader terror threat. Uganda remains on high alert as millions attend memorial services across the country. Watch the video for details. See More
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
NFL vet Jake McQuaide disrupts a church with a scandalous question: ‘Did the priest use…'
NFL veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide interrupted Mass at a church in Ohio to confront Catholic officials and question, 'Did the priest use our parish computer to look at pornography?' On Saturday, at Our Lady of the Visitation in Green Township, where Archdiocese of Cincinnati Chancellor Jason Williams was addressing parishioners regarding claims that Rev. Martin Bachman had accessed pornography using a parish-owned computer. Williams read aloud a letter from Archbishop Robert Casey: 'All concerns have been investigated, and no wrongdoing either criminally or ecclesiastically has been substantiated' against either Fr. Bachman or the parish's pastor, Don Siciliano. ALSO READ| Atlanta Falcons to trade Kyle Pitts? NFL insiders spill secrets amid rumours 'Furthermore, recent rumors, for which no corroborating facts have been uncovered, are unsubstantiated. Rumors which quickly spiral out of control have the potential to severely harm the good reputation which each of us should enjoy. Consequently, like gossip, the spreading of rumors is sinful, and we should all work to overcome this tendency of our fallen human nature.' Casey also stressed that Green Township Police had confirmed there was 'no evidence or investigation of criminal wrongdoing by Fr. Bachman,' and that there were no ongoing church-led investigations either. But then McQuaide stood up and interrupted the Mass, asking, 'Please take a second. We want to put these rumours to rest. Can you answer this for me, fact or fiction?' per a video clip captured by WCPO. 'Did the priest use our parish computer to look at pornography? …True or false? True or false?' 'You can look at pornography at your house, but you cannot do it here.' Someone in the church said, 'This is not the time for this,' but McQuaide pushed on. 'I'm sorry, sir, this is the time and the place. I will stand up.' Ohio police officers reportedly escorted McQuaide out of the church. Captain Mitch Hill of the Green Township Police told Fox News Digital that McQuaide "was escorted out at the specific direction of the church" and that he was not arrested or charged. Hill reiterated that Fr. Bachman 'has not been the target of an investigation by this department.' ALSO READ| Stefon Diggs to be laid off before season starts; Patriots to take call on boat video soon: NFL insider Notably, the scandal stems from a complaint filed by a parishioner who allegedly saw explicit content on a parish computer, images that included thumbnail links to adult websites. Casey noted in the letter that Bachman will begin a 'previously planned sabbatical' in July.
