Mayor Mamdani Announces New NYU Quantum Fabrication Facility, First-of-its-Kind Partnership to Give City a Stake in Emerging Industry

 

Backed by $284 million in public and private funding, new lab will support more than 100 companies and make New York City a quantum tech leader

 

Quantum technology projected to generate up to $2.7 trillion in economic value by 2035  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Anthony Shorris today announced the city will award $29.2 million to New York University (NYU) to establish a cutting-edge Quantum Fabrication Facility (QFab), putting New York City at the front of the emerging quantum technology field. As part of the Mamdani administration’s investment, the city will receive board seats at QFab as well as a stake in new technologies that emerge from QFab, a first-of-its-kind agreement that will allow the City to help shape this emerging technology for the public good.

QFab — which is backed by an additional $255 million investment from NYU spanning construction and 10 years of operations — will give researchers, students, start-ups and established companies access to specialized equipment for building and testing new quantum devices. It is expected to support more than 100 companies and reach 35,000 New Yorkers in its first 10 years of operation.

Additionally, to grow the number of New York City jobs in the quantum field, NYU will provide students at the City University of New York (CUNY) and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) with access to state-of-the-art labs, training, new certificate programs and summer workshops.

Altogether, today’s announcement represents a historic investment by the Mamdani administration in the future of New York City’s economy and helps set a new national model for economic development for the public good.

“Right now, at subatomic levels that we can only glimpse, new technologies are being developed that will transform how we fight disease, store energy, and exchange information. We want those technologies, investments and jobs to be created here in New York City — and we want New Yorkers to have a say and a share in their success. With this new quantum lab, we are bringing that vision to life,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This first-of-its-kind agreement will give the city board seats to shape the future of the quantum industry and a stake in the new technologies that emerge from the lab, making sure that all New Yorkers see the profits and progress from quantum technology, not just the wealthy few. We are building a city where economic justice doesn’t come at the expense of innovation.”

“When the public invests in a new technology at the start, the public should share in the success. With this agreement, we are setting a new standard for economic development in our city. This is exactly what we mean when we say economic justice and economic growth go hand in hand,” said Deputy Mayor Su. “Technology is not something that just happens to us. When the City invests in emerging industries, it also gives us the power to shape what that technology is developed for. We are excited to work with NYU to create good jobs for New Yorkers to the benefit of New Yorkers.”

“NYU’s QFab is exactly the kind of economic development investment New York City should be making, bringing together government, universities and industry to turn breakthrough research into real-world opportunities,” said NYCEDC President & CEO Shorris. “QFab will drive economic growth by helping create new companies, good-paying jobs and career pathways while ensuring the public shares in the intellectual property and economic value it generates. By investing in the infrastructure, partnerships, and talent that emerging industries need to grow, we’re strengthening New York’s innovation economy and ensuring more New Yorkers benefit from its success.”

“This announcement is a powerful example of what can happen when higher education, government, and industry work together to invest in the future. This initiative builds on CUNY's ongoing efforts to bring emerging technologies into the classroom and connect our students to high-growth careers,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “By expanding access to world-class quantum facilities, training programs, and research opportunities, we are ensuring that the benefits of this technological revolution reach communities across New York City. Together with NYU and our partners in government and industry, we are helping make New York a premier quantum technology hub and a model for innovation in service to the public good.”

“The New York City region is home to one of the largest concentrations of quantum scientists and engineers in the world. 770 Broadway will be the catalyst for new discoveries that propel us to the next level. What will make our new quantum facility truly unique is how connected it will be with the city around it. Through our partnership with the City, thousands of CUNY students will train alongside our NYU students on cutting-edge equipment and build their research careers in one of the fastest growing scientific fields. New York City-based start-ups and companies will have access to cutting-edge fabrication and materials found in few other cities,” said NYU President Linda Mills. “This is going to be the launchpad for an entire new industry with enormous opportunities for New Yorkers.”

QFab will provide students, faculty, researchers, startups and companies with a place to explore quantum mechanics and new prototypes. Credit: NYU. 

About the Quantum Fabrication Facility

Expected to open in 2030, QFab will deepen New York City’s position as the global leader in quantum technology — new technology that utilizes quantum mechanics. Quantum technology will revolutionize fields ranging from life sciences to finance to health care in the decades ahead and is projected to generate up to $2.7 trillion in economic value by 2035.

Spanning 23,000 square feet and located at 770 Broadway, QFab will help develop these technologies and offer researchers, students, start-ups, and established companies access to:

• Facility and Equipment​: Advanced manufacturing and testing of quantum chips and components, alongside specialized cleanrooms, cryogenics and equipment​. 
• Workforce Development​: Technician training, expertise, CUNY associate and certificate programs for quantum technicians, internships, bootcamps, and VR learning.
• ​Entrepreneurship Support​: Resources to help startups incubate and commercialize technology as well as integrate with NYU’s broader entrepreneurial ecosystem​.

QFab is expected to reach more than 35,000 New Yorkers in its first 10 years of operations, including over 5,000 students through undergraduate and graduate school programming, summer bootcamps for NYCPS students, internship programs, and a new certificate program launched at select CUNY schools.

As part of its work, QFab is projected to incubate nearly 50 companies as well as provide services to 50 newly formed startups. QFab will help companies turn prototypes into products and provide support from NYU’s academic and entrepreneurial programs.

Finally, Mayor Mamdani announced an unprecedented public-private partnership that will ensure that when publicly backed technologies succeed, the public benefits as well. To ensure the city’s priorities are continuously reflected in the future of QFab, the city will receive three seats on the QFab Executive Advisory Board.

Additionally, when intellectual property is created at QFab using tools the city funded, the city will receive 15% of the NYU Central Administration's proceeds resulting from the intellectual property — including equity, royalties, milestone payments and licenses of the patent.

This agreement will not only ensure that the city government can shape the direction of future technologies in New York City and share in the revenue that results from public investment but help set a new national model for how city governments support emerging industries.

Homeland Security Task Force Investigation Leads to 19 arrests in Alice Cocaine Conspiracy

 

Texas - Authorities have arrested 19 people following a long-term investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in Alice. 

All 19 are charged with conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and more than 280 grams of crack cocaine.

Authorities arrested Joel Sanchez, 31; David Villagran Jr. aka Little Tinko, 34; Rene Villagran aka Chucho, 36; David Villagran Sr. aka Big Tinko, 51; Jose Romeo Sanchez aka Baby Joe, 37; Esteban Mata, 29; Matthew Cantu aka Fat Matt, 39; Sierra Watrin, 30; Jewel Watrin, 32; Joshua Rios, 44; Esiquio Juarez aka Zeke, 53; Richard Garza aka Blackie, 66; Christopher Johnson, 20; Jake Rangel, 28; Sierra Rodriguez, 23; Joel Flores, 52; David Cantu aka Pamfi, 39; Lucia Gonzalez, 34; and Cindy Gutierrez, 42. 

All have now made their initial appearances in federal court. According to the charges, the organization operated primarily in the Alice area, where members allegedly distributed cocaine and crack cocaine from several residences.

The investigation began in March 2024 and identified members of the Villagran family and their associates as allegedly operating multiple drug distribution locations in and around Alice. The charges allege higher-ranking members pooled money to obtain kilogram quantities of cocaine from outside suppliers, including sources in Mexico, before supplying it to others for distribution.

Senior members of the organization allegedly used violence to control workers, including locking them inside trap houses and forcing them to distribute drugs through small openings in the doors.

According to court documents, authorities executed 11 search warrants throughout Alice and discovered more than 35 firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, cocaine, crack cocaine, nearly $100,000 in U.S. currency, drug ledgers, digital scales covered with drug residue, and other items associated with drug trafficking. If convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Griffith is prosecuting the case.

This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF South Texas comprises agents and officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations; FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Postal Inspection Service; Department of Transportation; IRS Criminal Investigation; Interpol/Department of State; and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas leading the prosecution.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law. 

Bosnian National Sentenced for Violating International Sanctions Against North Korea

 

A Bosnian national was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal export and sanctions violations by conspiring and attempting to broker the sale of Man Portable Air Defense Systems, which are anti-aircraft missiles.

“U.S. sanctions mean little if those who knowingly evade them face no consequences,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison for the District of New Mexico. “This defendant helped carry out an international scheme to conduct business that U.S. law prohibited, and this sentence holds him accountable for his role. I am proud of the investigators and prosecutors whose hard work and dedication brought this case to sentencing in New Mexico. Their commitment to seeing this prosecution through is a testament to the caliber of the people who serve in this district.”

“Those who knowingly attempt to circumvent U.S. export controls and international sanctions to facilitate the illicit trafficking of military weapons pose a serious threat to our national security and global stability,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ryan G. McRae of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso. “Their willingness to profit from prohibited weapons transactions demonstrates blatant disregard for the law. HSI aggressively pursues those who traffic in restricted military technology and hold them accountable for their actions.”

According to court documents, Sasa Micev, 43, a citizen of Bosnia, is an international arms dealer. Micev worked with a co-conspirator based in New Mexico and others to violate and evade restrictions imposed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the North Korea Sanctions Regulations by brokering the purchase of SA-18 Igla portable surface-to-air missiles from North Korea without the required license or approvals from the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

On multiple occasions in 2020, Micev and a co-conspirator discussed unlawfully acquiring the Igla missiles and Micev provided pricing information, participated in efforts to obtain the items through falsified documentation, and worked to procure the weapons from North Korea despite knowing that such transactions were prohibited under U.S. and international laws. 

In late 2020, Micev and the co-conspirator traveled to Ankara, Turkey to meet and complete the sale of the Igla missiles. However, after a price dispute with the North Koreans, the sale fell through.

Micev pleaded guilty to violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the North Korean Sanctions Regulations.

HSI’s Albuquerque and Phoenix Field Offices investigated this case. 

Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers About AI-Generated Election Misinformation Ahead of November Elections

As AI Fakes Become Harder to Spot and Chatbots Provide Incorrect Information, AG James Releases Updated Guide for Voters

New York Attorney General Letitia James today released an updated guide to help New Yorkers spot, avoid, and report election misinformation created by artificial intelligence (AI) ahead of the November 3 general elections. In just the last year, AI-generated images, videos, and audio recordings have become more sophisticated and harder to detect. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has also found that AI chatbots, which answer questions people type into an app or website, can give voters incorrect or outdated information regarding poll site locations, voting deadlines, and voting requirements. The guide gives New Yorkers practical steps to check election information with official sources before they act on it or share it.

“When New Yorkers head to the polls, they deserve to have accurate information to cast an informed vote,” said Attorney General James. “AI has made it easier than ever for bad actors to spread convincing lies about candidates and about when, where, and how to vote, and chatbots can confidently give voters the wrong answer. Before you believe or share anything you see about the election, check it with your board of elections or another trusted source. My office will be standing guard throughout this election, and we will not let anyone use AI to deceive voters or keep New Yorkers from the polls.”

AI tools can create photos, videos, and audio recordings that appear to show real people saying things they never said or doing things they never did. They can also be made to look like official notices or government messages. Bad actors can use this fake content to mislead voters about candidates, voter eligibility, and where, when, or how to vote. For example, a fake video might show a government official giving false voting instructions, a fake message might try to scare voters into staying home by threatening something that would never happen, or a robocall or social media post might use fake audio that sounds like a real person.

The updated guide reflects how quickly AI has advanced since Attorney General James first released it in 2024. The original guide told voters to watch for warning signs like unnatural body movements or strange lighting, shadows, or sound in videos. Today's AI fakes are far more convincing, and those warning signs may no longer be present. Because AI fakes are so hard to identify and can spread quickly on social media, Attorney General James urges New Yorkers to check trusted sources, like established news outlets or official election websites, before believing any unexpected message about voting or elections.

Under New York law, any political communication that includes seemingly realistic, but AI-generated or otherwise deceptive images, video, or audio must be clearly labeled as manipulated. However, OAG cautions that much of the fake content circulating online is not labeled, and tools that claim to detect AI-generated content are not always accurate. Attorney General James encourages anyone who encounters a voting-related video, image, or audio recording that they suspect to be manipulated and does not include a disclosure to file a complaint. 

The OAG is also warning New Yorkers not to rely on AI chatbots for voting information. Chatbots can sound confident and trustworthy, but they have given voters information for the wrong city or state, incorrect deadlines, and false voting requirements. Voters who rely on a chatbot without checking an official source could end up at the wrong poll site or miss an important deadline.

For accurate voting information, New Yorkers should contact the New York State Board of Elections or their local board of elections. Voters can find their county board of elections using the state Board of Elections’ county board roster tool, and can check their poll site, registration, and ballot status using the voter lookup tool. Early voting runs from Saturday, October 24 through Sunday, November 1, and Election Day is Tuesday, November 3.

Misinformation does not only come from AI. The OAG reminds New Yorkers to stay alert for all kinds of false election information, whether it arrives on a postcard, in an email or text, or on a lawn sign.

Attorney General James’ guide offers New Yorkers the following tips:

• For information on where, when, or how to vote, and voter eligibility, contact or visit state and local boards of elections’ websites. The OAG also operates an Election Protection Hotline during the voting period, which voters can contact to ask questions and file complaints.
• Do not rely on AI chatbots to answer questions about elections or voting.
• Be skeptical of photos, videos, and audio circulating online about elections, candidates, or their campaigns. Be especially careful with content that is emotional, shocking, or surprising. Remember that it may be fake.
• Do not assume something is real just because it looks or sounds real. AI fakes have improved so much that they may have no obvious flaws.
• Do not share content that seems suspicious without confirmation that it is real and accurate.
• Check any information on elections or voting that comes from unofficial sources, and encourage others to do the same.
• Be mindful that the information in a phone call about voting or elections may be inaccurate or fake. Remember to verify information with official sources.
• Report social media content that seems fake to the platform it is on.
• Report false information about elections or voting, especially about when, where, or how to vote, to the OAG.

Attorney General James urges New Yorkers who see misleading or inaccurate information about the elections to contact her office by filing an online complaint. When submitting the complaint form, select “Other” and enter “Election Misinformation” as the complaint topic, and include a copy of the misleading or inaccurate content. Voters experiencing election-related problems can also contact the OAG's Election Protection Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or electionhotline.ag.ny.gov beginning on October 24.

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of 58-Unit Affordable Homeownership Development in the Bronx

Stevenson Square Phase I Creates Affordable Co-op and Rental Housing in Soundview

Development Expands Affordable Homeownership Opportunities for Households Earning Up to 80 Percent of Area Median Income

Part of Governor Hochul’s Commitment To Expand Affordable Housing Opportunities Across New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the completion of Stevenson Square Phase I, which includes a $53 million affordable homeownership development that creates 58 new cooperative homes in the Soundview neighborhood of the Bronx. This is the first phase of a multi-phase, mixed-use development that will transform the underutilized Stevenson Commons campus and include affordable homeownership and senior rental housing. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) has created or preserved more than 11,000 affordable homes in the Bronx. Stevenson Square Phase I continues this effort and is part of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan, which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

“Every New Yorker deserves the opportunity to put down roots in a community they love and the first phase of the Stevenson Square redevelopment is opening the door to affordable homeownership for 58 families and individuals,” Governor Hochul said. “By creating new homeownership opportunities alongside rental housing in a diverse community, we are expanding housing supply, helping New Yorkers build equity and making the Bronx and the Soundview neighborhood a more affordable place to live.”

Stevenson Square Phase I’s homeownership component consists of two newly constructed four-story buildings with 58 co-op homes affordable to households earning up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income with an average sales price of approximately $204,000. In addition to the co-op homes, Stevenson Square Phase I includes 117 affordable rental apartments for seniors age 62 and older.

The homes are part of the larger Stevenson Square campus, which was originally developed through New York’s Mitchell-Lama program in the 1970s. Camber Property Group acquired the 948-unit property in 2017 and subsequently created a master plan to transform underutilized areas of the campus and create more housing. This project, along with a rental component creating 117 affordable apartments for older adults, represents the first phase of that plan, with the second and third phases envisioned to create additional affordable rental homes.

Stevenson Square Phase I is all-electric and has achieved Enterprise Green Communities certifications, with sustainable features including a solar array, energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, stoves, dishwashers, washers and dryers.

The co-ops feature landscaped front and rear yards to complement the low-rise residential character of the surrounding Soundview neighborhood. Residents are within walking distance of Pugsley Creek and Soundview Parks and have convenient access to the subway and the NYC Ferry. Residents also benefit from retail and community facilities already located at Stevenson Commons, including a supermarket and the Stevenson Family Health Center, which offers behavioral health care, primary care, dental care, pharmacy and social services.

Financing for the homeownership portion of Stevenson Square Phase I includes a mix of public and private sources, including $11.6 million through HCR’s Affordable Homeownership Opportunity Program, which provides financing to affordable housing developers to create affordable single-family houses, condos and co-ops. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) provided approximately $21.2 million through its Open Door program. Additional $3.8 million in Resolution A funding was provided from Council Member Amanda Farias, former Councilmember Ruben Diaz, Sr., and former Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. HPD also provided financing for the rental portion of the project.

Housing Lottery Launches for 1677 Eastburn Avenue in Concourse, The Bronx

 

The affordable housing lottery has launched for 1677 Eastburn Avenue, a 13-story mixed-use building in Concourse, The Bronx. Designed by Nikolai Katz Architect and developed by Lefko Capital Group, the structure yields 77 residences. Available on NYC Housing Connect are 16 units for residents at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI), ranging in eligible income from $76,492 to $168,320.

Amenities include a shared laundry room and elevator. Tenants are responsible for electricity, including heat and stove. Rent includes hot water.

1677 Eastburn Avenue in Concourse, The Bronx via NYC Housing Connect

At 80 percent of the AMI, there are eight studios with a monthly rent of $2,040 for incomes ranging from $76,492 to $108,560; five two-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,583 for incomes ranging from $97,406 to $146,560; and three three-bedrooms with a monthly rent of $2,962 for incomes ranging from $112,698 to $168,320.

Prospective renters must meet income and household size requirements to apply for these apartments. Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than October 29, 2026.

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Erin Pilnyak as Director of the Mayor's Office of Risk Management and Compliance, Citywide Lead Compliance Officer

 

Pilnyak – who brings more than a decade of experience – will focus on rooting out waste and inefficiencies in city agencies

 

Appointment underscores Mamdani administration’s commitment to public excellence at every turn  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today appointed Erin Pilnyak as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance (MORMC). The office focuses on identifying systemic and agency-specific risks, operational vulnerabilities, and instances of fraud and inefficiency before they grow into costly audits, investigations, and litigation.

In her capacity as Director of MORMC, Pilnyak will also serve as the Citywide Lead Compliance Officer, spearheading the administration’s efforts to remediate and eliminate the presence of lead, alongside agencies like the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

“New Yorkers deserve a city government that delivers effectively and that is as careful with money – and resources – as they are. Since day one of our administration, we have been diligent about identifying inefficiencies and failures, eliminating redundancies, and working with city agencies to improve service delivery while reducing risks and costs,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “With the appointment of Erin, City Hall has a leader committed to delivering public excellence, modernizing the work of government, and driving down lead exposure across the five boroughs.”

“Risk management and compliance is about ensuring the gears of government continue to turn, efficiently and responsibly. With Erin Pilnyak at the helm of the Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance, this will remain a top priority for this administration,” said Chief Counsel Ramzi Kassem. “From combatting lead poisoning in our pipes and paint to making sure our agencies are spending money responsibly and without redundancy, Erin will work to extend this new era of governance to the day-to-day operations of city government.”

“Effective government is not just about responding when something goes wrong, but building the systems to prevent problems before they happen,” said MORMC Director Erin Pilnyak. “MORMC has a unique citywide vantage point that allows us to work across agencies to identify emerging risks, strengthen operations, and address systemic issues before they result in service failures, unnecessary costs, or harm to New Yorkers. I’m excited to build on Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to making government work better by partnering with agencies to strengthen accountability, improve how we deliver services, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for New Yorkers.”

The Mayor’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance focuses on employing data-driven strategies to cut down on the misallocation of resources, operational vulnerabilities, systemic risks, unjustified or fraudulent expenses, and inefficiencies that inhibit service delivery. Pilnyak will report to the Chief Counsel.

Mayor Mamdani has been relentless in his pursuit of targeted efficiencies and excellence in delivery for New Yorkers. On day 29 of his administration, the Mayor signed an executive order requiring every city agency appoint a Chief Savings Officer (CSO). CSOs successfully identified $1.77 billion in savings – including $94 million saved from pursuing better contract rates and terminating unnecessary contracts and $24 million saved from unused office space and consolidating agency leases.

In May, Mayor Mamdani appointed the Commission of Government Efficiency (COGE), which released 5 ballot proposals designed to make government work better, faster and more efficiently for New Yorkers. The Mayor also announced Overhauling Procedures and Expanding Navigation (OPEN), a package of more than 50 regulatory reforms to reduce paperwork and bureaucratic burdens for the City’s roughly 180,000 small businesses; advanced the SPEED (Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development) report to cut red tape for housing construction; and launched Public Interest Technology teams, deploying technologists to solve public challenges through modern, in-house digital solutions.

Pilnyak’s appointment as Citywide Lead Compliance Officer follows the Mamdani administration’s aggressive and bold approach to lead remediation. In July, the Mayor announced a $10.2 million investment in complete and permanent abatement this fall of lead-based paint at 63 additional child care centers on NYCHA campuses across the city. Just last month, the administration announced new initiatives to curb lead in school drinking water, including redoubled remediation efforts and testing every year instead of once every three years.

About Erin Pilnyak

Erin Pilnyak brings extensive experience at the intersection of government operations, public safety, risk management, and organizational reform. Prior to joining MORMC, she advised law enforcement agencies and government entities across the country on complex organizational assessments, accountability systems, policy development, and reform implementation, including work with the Aurora Police Department in Colorado and other jurisdictions navigating significant operational and institutional change.

She previously served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner in the New York City Police Department’s Risk Management Bureau, where she worked on initiatives to identify and mitigate organizational risk and strengthen accountability. She also served as Deputy Director in the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, working on public safety policy and criminal justice initiatives.

An attorney by training, Pilnyak began her career as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in sexual assault prosecutions and later served in the Office’s Crime Strategies Unit. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Cornell Law School.

Barrigada Man Sentenced to 120 months in Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine

 

SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant Michael Joseph Salas, age 42, from Barrigada, Guam was sentenced in the U.S. District Court of Guam to 120 months imprisonment for Distribution of 50 or More Grams of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). The Court also ordered five years of supervised release and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

On February 11, 2025, Salas agreed to sell three ounces of methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Salas had the informant drive him to a location to meet up with his source of supply.  After receiving $3,300 from the informant, Salas met with his source and returned with a bag of methamphetamine. Upon returning to his residence, Salas packaged three ounces of the drug for the informant and kept an unknown quantity for himself.  Salas previously sold one ounce of methamphetamine to the informant for $1,200. Federal agents executed a search warrant at the residence in March 2025. It resulted in the seizure of 34.22 additional grams of methamphetamine.

Salas has criminal convictions for possession of an unregistered firearm, second degree and third degree theft by receiving stolen property, and second degree promotion of major prison contraband.

“Repeat offenders who traffic drugs are prime targets for federal law enforcement,” stated United States Attorney Anderson.  “They will face mandatory minimum sentences in federal court. Those sentences will be served at a Bureau of Prisons facility on the mainland, far from Guam. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those associated with this illicit activity.”

“Methamphetamine continues to ravage communities across the United States, extending beyond the mainland to Hawaii and territories such as Guam. Its trail of devastation leaves no corner untouched. Today’s sentencing proves to drug traffickers that they are not beyond the reach of the law," said David S. Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Los Angeles Field Division, which covers Guam.  "We will track them down and bring them to justice.  DEA stands united with our federal partners to safeguard American lives.”

This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration.