Manhattan Fentanyl And Methamphetamine Trafficker Sentenced To 270 Months In Prison

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MOUNIR MRABET was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff to 270 months in prison for trafficking wholesale quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine in and around midtown Manhattan.  On November 9, 2023, a jury convicted MRABET of narcotics conspiracy, narcotics trafficking, and a firearms offense. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “The defendant flooded the streets of New York with methamphetamine and fentanyl and kept a gun as part of his drug operations.  He sold these dangerous drugs to other dealers in wholesale quantities and even stored and sold these drugs in hotel rooms with abject disregard for those he endangered.  This sentence is a just punishment for an individual who chose to profit from destroying others and actively contributed to a drug crisis that continues to claim lives across our city and our nation.” 

According to public filings and the evidence presented at trial:

From at least late 2021 to January 2023, MRABET coordinated with suppliers in Mexico and California to receive boxes of crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl in the mail.  He then worked with co-conspirators to distribute wholesale quantities of these drugs to other drug dealers in New York City, and he kept a gun and used threats to promote his drug operations.  For example, in October 2022, he texted a fellow dealer, “I will fucking shoot u one day,” and “Now bring me a pound.”  MRABET’s voice was also captured on a video depicting stacks of cash, bundles of apparent drugs, and a revolver.  Additional videos, photographs, and text messages confirmed that MRABET stored and sold drugs out of hotel rooms.

After MRABET was recorded selling drugs to an undercover detective, including fake oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, law enforcement agents conducted a search of his Manhattan apartment and seized 24 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and, from the scaffolding outside his window, approximately half a pound of fentanyl powder.

The evidence at trial included the defendant’s own texts arranging sales to co-conspirators and texts from customers who described being sickened by his drugs.  The evidence also included numerous videos and photographs of drugs and drug proceeds, including some that depicted MRABET pouring and weighing containers of crystal methamphetamine and wrapping and spritzing a scented spray on stacks of cash.

In addition to the prison term, MRABET, 40, of New York, New York, was sentenced to five years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of Task Force Officers assigned to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Homeland Security Investigations, the New York City Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Florida Man Sentenced for Racially Motivated Attacks on Two Black Women

 

A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for committing two federal hate crimes by attacking two Black women with a gun.

Frederick Eugene Pierallini III, 27, previously pleaded guilty to these crimes on July 6, 2023.

“The defendant is being held accountable for targeting two Black women with a gun on two separate days because of their race,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one in this country should have to live in fear that when they use public spaces or work at their job, they risk attack by someone who hates them because of the color of their skin. The Justice Department is committed to protecting Black people from racially-motivated violence. We will continue to be relentless in investigating and prosecuting individuals who threaten or commit unlawful acts of hate.”

“The violent assaults committed against these two women because of their race are intolerable,” said U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “There is no place in our society for such heinous acts. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to aggressively investigate and prosecute individuals who target individuals and communities because of their race, ethnicity or beliefs.” 

“Hate crimes like these are not only attacks on the victims but are meant to threaten and intimidate an entire community,” said Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “The FBI and our partners will continue to prioritize investigating civil rights violations and work together tirelessly to bring perpetrators to justice.”

According to court documents, Pierallini willfully intimidated the victims and interfered with their enjoyment of federally protected activities using force or a threat of force, because of their race and color. Victim 1 was enjoying her private employment and Victim 2 was enjoying a facility provided by the state of Florida.

Specifically, on Sept. 10, 2022, Pierallini went to a convenience store, located in Jacksonville, Florida. Victim 1 was working there as a clerk at the register. Pierallini attempted to buy snacks at the register, but his card was declined. He then attempted to walk out of the store with unpaid merchandise. Pierallini ultimately returned, scolding Victim 1 for not knowing how to do her job and directing racial slurs at her. Pierallini left the store, retrieved a shotgun from his car, pointed it at Victim 1 and cocked it by pulling the slide back to open the chamber and loaded a bullet into it. Victim 1 ran away in fear. Pierallini continued to use racial slurs throughout the encounter.

Two days later, on Sept. 12, 2022, Pierallini approached Victim 2 as she was sitting in her walker on the public sidewalk. He directed racial slurs at her and told her that she could not sit where she was. Pierallini also threatened to kill Victim 2. He then left, returned with a shotgun and fired a single shot. Victim 2 sustained injuries when she fell to the ground in response, but she was not hit by Pierallini’s shot.

The FBI Jacksonville Field Office and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. 

Governor Hochul Celebrates Biden Administration’s $6.1 Billion Investment in Micron to Grow the Semiconductor Industry in the United States

Announcement Builds on Governor Hochul’s Continued Commitment to Establish New York State as a Global Hub for Semiconductor Manufacturing and R&D

President Biden Announces Upstate New York as National Workforce Hub

Newly Enacted FY 2025 Budget Cements $500 Million in Additional Capital Investment at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex to Jumpstart $10 Billion Partnership for Next-Generation Chips Research

Budget Includes $200 Million Investment to Support Four ON-RAMP Advanced Manufacturing Training Centers – Including Flagship in Central New York – to Prepare New Yorkers for Jobs of the Future

Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the up to $6.1 billion investment by the Biden-Harris administration’s Department of Commerce in Micron Technology, which will be dramatically expanding its domestic memory chip manufacturing in the United States, and the announcement by President Biden that Upstate New York will be designated as a National Workforce Hub. Both federal and state incentives were essential to secure Micron’s $100 billion investment in the White Pine Industrial Park in the town of Clay in Onondaga County – one of the largest economic development projects in U.S. history. This federal funding through the CHIPS and Science Act builds upon $5.5 billion in performance-based Green CHIPS incentives provided by New York State that are directly tied to Micron creating 9,000 new direct jobs, investing $100 billion in New York State, and achieving the Green CHIPS community benefits package and sustainability standards for their Clay facility. In total, the project is expected to create nearly 50,000 jobs statewide, including an average of 5,600 construction jobs per year paying federal prevailing wage. When complete, the complex will include the nation's largest clean room space at approximately 2.4 million square feet, grow domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and enhance our national security by expanding the United States’ chipmaking capacity. Additionally, Micron’s commitment to New York State builds on Governor Hochul’s successful efforts to establish New York State as a global hub for semiconductor research and manufacturing in the newly enacted FY 2025 Enacted Budget.

“As the first Governor from Upstate New York in more than a century, I knew we needed to revitalize the Upstate economy and transform New York State into a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing and research. The combination of federal funding and our Green CHIPS program is the formula for success,” Governor Hochul said. “I spent months advocating for Micron to come to New York and this megafab will be a game changer, setting the stage for regional transformation. This is just the beginning of what we'll accomplish together, but none of it would be possible without the partnership of President Biden, Commerce Secretary Raimondo, New York’s congressional delegation, the New York State Legislature and our local stakeholders.”

This announcement complements the ongoing partnership between Micron and New York State that was forged in October 2022 when Micron chose Central New York for its megafab. Governor Hochul has worked closely with local, state and federal partners to prepare for Micron’s arrival and make continued investments in the community.

• In October 2023, Governor Hochul unveiled plans for the $15 million, 5,000 square-foot Micron Cleanroom Simulation Lab at Onondaga Community College, which will help to train students in Central New York for jobs at Micron.
• Governor Hochul has continued to work with Micron to provide access to reliable and affordable child care for Micron employees, including future on-site child care options on Micron’s Clay campus.
• Micron has made significant investments that will benefit Central New York families, including $500,000 to the YMCA of Central New York to help expand access to high-quality child care and early learning for underserved communities in the region.
• Micron also announced funding for the Early Childhood Career Pathways Program, administered by Childcare Solutions and PEACE Inc., to expand family home child care centers.
• Micron, in partnership with Empire State Development, will establish a $500 million Green CHIPS Community Fund to ensure that the area directly benefits from the company’s presence.

Additionally, Governor Hochul also established the Micron Community Engagement Committee to guide the investment strategy for the $500 million Community Investment Fund. The committee will produce a Community Priorities Document in the coming months that builds off robust community engagement. The Committee has already reached over 8,300 people, both in person at community forums and via web-based surveys, and continues to listen and learn about how Micron’s presence can help the region.

Governor Hochul is prioritizing the semiconductor industry as part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget. The Governor secured an additional $500 million capital investment for NY CREATES’ Albany Nanotech Complex with total State investment of $1 billion to jumpstart a $10 billion partnership that will bring a cutting-edge High NA EUV Lithography Center to the Complex. The Governor announced the partnership with IBM, Micron, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and other leaders from the semiconductor industry last year as part of her commitment to establishing a global hub for semiconductor manufacturing in New York. Once completed, this new center will build on other semiconductor-related investments to make New York home to the first publicly owned High NA EUV Lithography Center in North America, support the long-term growth of New York’s tech economy, and create and retain thousands of direct, indirect and union construction jobs.

The Budget also includes a $200 million investment to establish One Network for Regional Advanced Manufacturing Partnerships (ON-RAMP) – a network of four new workforce development centers to prepare New Yorkers for the jobs of the future. As the state continues to attract 21st century businesses in fast-growing industries like semiconductor manufacturing, ON-RAMP will offer credentials and training related to advanced manufacturing and help expand opportunities for disadvantaged populations. The program will focus on strategic, high-impact locations in upstate New York, including a flagship facility in Syracuse overseen by CenterState CEO.

Additionally, Governor Hochul has secured $100 million in additional funding for the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) program. Launched in December 2022, FAST NY has awarded more than $175 million to prepare more than 2,500 acres across 20 sites in every Upstate region for shovel-readiness, a key feature businesses seek when looking to locate.

Semiconductors are vital to the nation's economic strength, serving as the brains of modern electronics, and enabling technologies critical to U.S. economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness. The industry directly employs over 300,000 people in the U.S. and supports more than 1.8 million additional domestic jobs. Semiconductors are a top five U.S. export, and the industry is the number one contributor to labor productivity, supporting improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of virtually every economic sector — from farming to manufacturing.

New York's is home to a robust semiconductor industry of 156 semiconductor and supply chain companies that employ over 34,000 New Yorkers. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the industry is continuing to expand with major investments from semiconductor businesses and supply chain companies like Micron, GlobalFoundries, AMD, Edwards Vacuum, Menlo Micro and TTM Technologies to expand their presence in New York.

NYLCV Responds: Mayor Adam's FY25 Executive Budget

 

NYLCV has been working tirelessly to ensure our city's budget puts the environment first.  

  

While Mayor Adams promised to protect our important green spaces and touted the launch of curbside composting, his budget announcement yesterday disappointed and backtracked on environmental progress. 

 

Read our full statement here: 

The New York League of Conservation Voters is deeply disappointed in the FY25 Executive Budget announced by Mayor Adams. While the release of the new Climate Budgeting publication is welcome news, when it comes to on-the-ground policy, this budget takes us in the wrong direction. The mayor campaigned on a promise to invest in our green spaces – which are critical to climate resilience – yet this budget solidifies last year’s draconian cuts to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Further, despite announcing to great fanfare the city’s curbside composting program a year ago, this budget still cuts that program and community composting off at the knees, which means more waste going to our landfills. And while the mayor touts New York City as a leader in the climate fight, this budget will only delay the city’s own compliance with LL97, the strongest municipal climate law in the nation. We urge the Administration and City Council to work together to restore funding for these vital environmental programs in the final Adopted Budget.

If you, like us, want to see our parks given the funding New Yorkers deserve, take action by joining us for a rally to #SaveNYCParks on Tuesday, May 7 at 6pm. Rally information here. 

  

Sincerely, 

Alia Soomro, 

Deputy Policy Director for NYC, NYLCV

DOC DASHBOARD UPDATE: NYC Comptroller Releases New Monthly Data on Department of Correction Operations

 

The New York City Comptroller’s Office released its monthly update to the Department of Correction (DOC) Dashboard, available here.

Key monthly DOC metrics show:

• DOC jails housed 6,333 detained individuals as of April 1, 96 more people than in March.
• DOC incarcerated 2,051 people in March, 161 more people than admitted in February.

• DOC discharged 1,957 people in March, 125 more people than in February.

• The average length of a person was detained in DOC custody was 96 days; no change from previous month.
• On April 1, DOC hired 84 new correction officers, the first new class of uniformed staff since October 2023.
• 20% of incarcerated people have a serious mental illness for the fourth consecutive month.
• In March, an average of 6 percent of staff were out sick and 5 percent of staff were on medically restricted leave; no change from prior month.

Violence indicators in March:

• 533 fights broke out, 81 more than in February.
  • DOC last saw a month with more than 500 fights in November 2023 (508) and June 2021 (531).
• 42 assaults on staff occurred, 3 fewer incidents than in February.
• 27 slashings and stabbings occurred, no change from prior month.
• Roy Savage died in custody, bringing the total number of deaths to three in 2024. The cause of Savage’s death is currently unknown.

The Comptroller’s dashboard, first published in August 2022, monitors pervasive issues in the City’s jails, including staff absenteeism, missed medical appointments, and incidents of violence among detained people and staff. It also tracks the jail population every month and length of stay. The Comptroller’s office publishes data to this dashboard monthly to provide increased transparency and accountability over the City’s jail system.

View the DOC Dashboard here.