On May 27, 2025, 45-year-old Michael Kuilan pleaded guilty to providing the drugs that ultimately killed transgender activist Cecilia Gentili. Cecilia Gentili was an icon for her community and is well known for advocating for groups like transgender people, individuals struggling with an HIV diagnosis, and sex workers. As a former sex worker herself, she knew first-hand the struggles that these communities face daily.

Unfortunately, all of these communities are also considered high risk for using and abusing drugs.

Michael Kuilan is well known for selling drugs in the area. According to law enforcement officers, Kuilan has already been convicted three times for selling heroin in New York state. Each of these charges was a felony offense. Prosecutors were able to determine that Kuilan was the dealer responsible for supplying the deadly drugs by going through countless text messages and reviewing cell site data. Investigators determined that Kuilan had supplied a third party, Antonio Venti, with the heroin that was ultimately delivered to the victim.

What made this drug deal so egregious was that the heroin was intentionally laced with fatal fentanyl levels. Upon searching the suspect’s home, detectives discovered hundreds of small bags of fentanyl, weapons, and ammunition.

Only one day after the drug exchange went down, Gentili was discovered deceased in her bedroom. She passed away as a result of the combined effects of heroin, fentanyl, xylazine, and cocaine.

Kuilan and Venti were both arrested and charged with their role in the fatality. Kuilan faces up to 20 years in prison for the drug distribution charge and an additional 35 years for the unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon. Venti, who has already faced sentencing, will spend five years in prison after pleading guilty.

Kuilan has been ordered to forfeit $30,000 and his illegally held firearm, as well as pay $24,482 in restitution to the victim’s family.

Drug Dealing: No Longer Considered a Victimless Crime

In Brooklyn, drug trafficking is considered a serious offense. Depending on your involvement in the situation, you can face numerous charges for your role in a drug-induced incident. A few charges you could face include possession of a controlled substance, criminal sale of a controlled substance, conspiracy to sell a controlled substance, the manufacturing of a controlled substance, or drug trafficking.

The severity of the penalties associated with your charge will hinge on the type of controlled substance, the quantity of the drug you’re found in possession of, your criminal record, and any other aggravating factors like selling the drugs to a minor or selling the drugs to someone who fatally overdoses.

A first-time drug trafficking offense typically results in at least a one-year prison sentence, even if the sales were low and the drug wasn’t that serious. A second offense will cause an automatic two to four-year minimum prison sentence, and a third offense will likely result in at least 25 years behind bars.

If you’ve recently been charged with a drug-related offense in Brooklyn, then schedule a free case review with our team now to determine your options.