Train Operator Myran Pollack Sees his Assailant Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Myran Pollack, center, flanked by Brooklyn DA Gonzalez and President Chiarello

DECEMBER 15—Train Operator Myran Pollack spent 16 days in the hospital last October recovering from 11 stab wounds inflicted by a man who later pleaded guilty to attempted murder. On Monday, he told his story to the court and saw his assailant sentenced to 15 years in prison plus five years of supervised release.

The October 8, 2024 unprovoked attack on the 4 platform at the Utica Avenue stop in Crown Heights was every transit worker’s nightmare. Jonathan Davalos, 27, nodded at the veteran Train Operator, who was trying to clear his train at the last stop, and then swung at him with a knife, stabbing him repeatedly as he tried to run for his life and to ward off the attack. Without the swift intervention of NYPD officers, Pollack believes, he would have died right there on the platform.

“As the customer stepped off the train facing me, he pulled out a large kitchen knife. No words were spoken. No sounds were made. There was no fight. No confrontation of any kind. Just the blank look from the customer. It was like looking at the face of a mannequin," said Pollack to a hushed courtroom full of people hanging on his every word.

Today’s sentencing finally gave Pollack the chance to tell his story directly to his assailant, who appeared on video after once again refusing to be produced in court, and explain the ordeal to his union brothers and sisters who packed the courtroom.

This was the fourth time the sentencing had been scheduled. The first time was due to a delay in the sentencing report and the second and third times were due to Davalos' refusal to come to court. This time, Judge Carolina Holderness of Brooklyn Supreme Criminal Court allowed Davalos to be sentenced while appearing virtually.

Speaking directly to his assailant, Pollack described the incident and its aftermath for 17 minutes, at times pausing to collect himself as he recounted the attack.

“I froze. By the time I realized what was happening I was stabbed three times. I turned and tried to run away from him. He was chasing me and stabbing me at the same time. I fell, flipped over on my back and then he stabbed me in my stomach. I tried to kick him off, but he grabbed my legs and then he stabbed me in my left thigh. He suddenly stopped, and when I looked up, I saw guns floating in the air, pointing at the attacker. The NYPD arrived and arrested the attacker.”

Pollack also spoke about the extensive physical therapy he received, and the severe physical and pychological pain he still experiences each day, over a year the incident—how the cold weather makes his many wounds hurt even more, how he only manages to get a few hours of sleep each night, how he is frequently socially isolated and fearful of new people.

After the sentencing, TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez spoke to press, standing with Pollack.

“By the grace of God, he is here with us today….Thank God, the NYPD was there to stop the person stabbing him," said Chiarello.

"[Davalos] took everything from him, in one swoop, for no good reason, for emptying a train. He emptied a train out, just doing his job," Chiarello added. "Now he has to live with that pain every single day.”

DA Gonzalez commended Pollack on his bravery and said Pollack's statement in court had brought tears to his eyes. "My message is really clear to all New Yorkers. If you attack a member of the MTA, of Local 100, this office will do everything in its power to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law….No one who comes work in this great city should ever have to be fearful of doing their job.”