Michael Brandon Smirnoff, 25, a former officer at the Tallassee Police Department in Tallassee, Alabama, twice used unlawful force on arrestees and submitted a false report to cover up one of the incidents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 3, 2018 

Former Tallassee, Alabama, Police Officer Indicted for Civil Rights Violations and Obstruction of Justice


A federal grand jury unsealed an indictment today charging Michael Brandon Smirnoff, 25, a former officer at the Tallassee Police Department in Tallassee, Alabama, with federal civil rights and obstruction offenses. Smirnoff is charged with two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 242, and one count of obstruction of justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1519.

The indictment alleges that Smirnoff twice used unlawful force on arrestees and submitted a false report to cover up one of the incidents. In the first incident, on March 29, 2016, Smirnoff slammed a handcuffed man to the ground, then used unreasonable force while placing him into a police vehicle. In a second incident on July 5, 2015, Smirnoff tased a man who had already been placed in handcuffs and was not physically resisting. As a result of these unjustified uses of force, both victims sustained bodily injuries. The indictment further charges that Smirnoff obstructed justice by submitting a false report about the second incident.

If convicted, Smirnoff faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the deprivation of rights charges and 20 years in prison for the obstruction charge, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Simpson of the Middle District of Alabama and Civil Rights Division Trial Attorney Michael J. Songer.

Boaters are advised to use extra caution while out on the water this Columbus Day weekend. Safety tips before leaving the dock

MIAMI, Fl — 

The Coast Guard warns boaters to use extra caution while out on the water this Columbus Day weekend.

Coast Guard crews, along with local and state law enforcement agencies, will be patrolling, conducting safety checks, and watching for individuals boating while intoxicated or operating in an unsafe manner.

Consider these boating safety tips before leaving the dock:

Never boat under the influence (BUI): It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. There are stringent penalties for violating BUI/BWI laws, which can include large fines, suspension or revocation of boat operator privileges and jail terms. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents.

File a float plan: Leave a detailed float plan with a friend or family member who is staying back. The sooner a craft can be reported overdue, the more likely a positive outcome will result. Facts need to be quickly and accurately conveyed in an emergency. Your float plan should include detailed information that rescue personnel need in order to find you. For examples of a float plan, and for more information, visit www.floatplancentral.org before you go.

Wear a life jacket: Life jackets save lives. In 2017, 68 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those, approximately 82 percent were not wearing a life jacket. Accidents can leave even a strong swimmer injured, unconscious, or exhausted in the water. 

Take a VHF-FM marine radio: Cell phones may lose signal off shore and run out of batteries after a day on the water. They are helpful, but not reliable for emergencies. VHF-channel 16 is the marine emergency channel. It should only be used for emergencies. Boaters can reach the Coast Guard on marine-band radios at any time, day or night.

Monitor weather broadcasts: Watch for current storm and small craft advisories. The National Weather Service broadcasts marine weather forecasts regularly. Forecasts can be heard by tuning in to channels 1 through 5 on a VHF-FM marine radio or by checking the NWS website at www.weather.gov.

Have a signaling device to communicate an emergency: Boaters should have a signal flares, whistle, horn, or signal mirror, in addition to an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) to alert first responders to the location of a water emergency.

If you see something, say something. If you see someone in danger or someone you suspect may be boating under the influence, contact the Coast Guard via VHF channel 16 or to local first responders via 911.

Download the Coast Guard boating safety mobile app. Features included on the app are the latest safety regulations and navigation rules, as well as immediate access to filling a float plan, checking the weather, and reporting pollution hazards or suspicious activity. Click here to get the free app.

Preliminary Report on the Fatal Crash of Dassault Falcon 50 business jet, N114TD, operated by Air American Flight Services, Inc. that killed the two pilots and injured two passengers

National Transportation Safety Board
Aviation Accident Preliminary Report
Location: Greenville, SC Accident Number: ERA18FA264
Date & Time: 09/27/2018, 1346 EDT Registration: N114TD
Aircraft: Dassault FALCON 50 Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Serious

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

On September 27, 2018, about 1346 eastern daylight time, a Dassault Falcon 50 business jet, N114TD, operated by Air American Flight Services, Inc., was substantially damaged when it overran the departure end of runway 19 at Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU), Greenville, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot (ATP) seated in the left cockpit seat and private pilot seated in the right cockpit seat were fatally injured, and the two passengers received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, destined for GMU. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.


Air traffic control personnel at GMU reported that the airplane touched down "normally" at a normal touchdown point on runway. They saw the airplane's sole thrust reverser on the center (No. 2) engine deploy; the controllers then watched as the airplane "did not decelerate" as it continued down the runway. An airport security video captured the airplane's touchdown and confirmed that the No. 2 thrust reverser and the airbrakes were deployed. The video also showed the airplane as it continued down to the end of the runway and then went over an embankment.

First responders reported that all three engines were operating at full power for at least 20 minutes after the accident with, one engine running until about 40 minutes after the accident.

Initial examination of the accident site, runway, and tire track evidence showed that the
airplane departed the left edge of runway 19 near the departure end, traveled across the flat grassy area at the end of the runway, continued down a 50-foot embankment, and came to rest on the airport perimeter road about 425 feet from the runway. The wreckage was oriented on a heading of about 160°. There was no fire. Fuel was observed leaking from the wings at the accident site. The nose landing gear was separated and found about midway down the embankment. The fuselage was separated immediately aft of the cockpit area, near fuselage station 14. The slats and flaps were extended. Both the right and left airbrakes (spoilers) were extended. Both main landing gear were fractured at the trunnion and displaced aft into the flaps. The braking anti-skid switch was in the No. 1 position, and there was an "INOP" (inoperative) placard next to the switch, dated the day of the accident. The Nos. 2 and 3 fire handles were pulled. The parking brake was in the normal (off) position.


The left seat pilot held an ATP certificate with a type rating for the Falcon 50 with a limitation for second-in-command only. He also held type ratings for Learjet and Westwind business jets. He held a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first-class medical certificate issued on August 7, 2108; at that time, he reported 11,650 total hours of flight experience.

The right seat pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and
multiengine land. He did not hold an instrument rating. He held a FAA second-class medical certificate issued on March 27, 2017,and on that date, he reported 5,500 total hours of flight experience.

At 1353, the recorded weather at GMU included wind from 210° at 6 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 27°C, dew point 22°C, and a barometric altimeter setting of 30.02 inches of mercury.

The airplane was retained for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Dassault Registration: N114TD
Model/Series: FALCON 50 Undesignat Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: Air America Flight Services INC
Operating Certificate(s)
Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)


Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KGMU, 1048 ft msl Observation Time: 1353 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 22°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 6 knots / , 210°
Lowest Ceiling: Visibility: 10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.02 inches Hg Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: St Petersburg-Clearwater, FL (PIE)
Destination: Greenville, SC (GMU)

Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 Fatal Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 2 Serious Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Serious Latitude, Longitude: 34.839444, -82.348611 (est)
 
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Daniel P Boggs
Additional Participating Persons: Dwayne Morrison; FAA/FSDO; Columbia, SC
David Studmann; Honeywell; Phoenix, AZ
Jay Sigmann; Dassault Falcon Jet Corp.; New Castle, DE
Nicolas Courjaud; BEA; FN
Note: The NTSB traveled to the scene of this accident.

Canteen/Convenco, a Middletown, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,778 pounds of ready-to-eat breaded chicken tender products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens

Canteen/Covenco Recalls Ready-To-Eat Breaded Chicken Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergens

Class I Recall 086-2018

Health Risk: High Oct 5, 2018

Congressional and Public Affairs
Veronika Pfaeffle
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2018 – 

 Canteen/Convenco, a Middletown, Pa. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,778 pounds of ready-to-eat breaded chicken tender products due to misbranding and undeclared allergens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The products may contain milk (whey), a known allergen, that was not declared on the finished product label. 

The breaded chicken tenders with BBQ sauce and hot sauce items were produced and packaged from Sept. 7, 2018 through Oct. 4, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]

• 6 oz. clear plastic pouches containing “FRESH TO YOU, Breaded Chicken Tenders w/ BBQ Sauce,” case code 1077 and “Fresh Thru” dates ranging from 09-14-18 to 10-05-18.
• 6 oz. clear plastic pouches containing “FRESH TO YOU, Breaded Chicken Tenders w/ Hot Sauce,” case code 6141 and “Fresh Thru” dates ranging from 09-16-18 to 10-07-18.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-40088” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail stores, specifically vending machines, in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

The problem was discovered on Oct. 4, 2018 by FSIS inspection program personnel during a routine label review.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. 

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify that recalling firms are notifying their customers of the recall and that actions are being taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Ann Sheridan, Director of Communications with Canteen, at (704) 328-4056.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

USDA Recall Classifications
Class I	This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Class II	This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
Class III	This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.

CRAP AT UKROP: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, a Richmond, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 18,296 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry deli-sliced products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes

Ukrop's Homestyle Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination
Class I Recall 087-2018
Health Risk: High Oct 5, 2018





Congressional and Public Affairs
Veronika Pfaeffle
(202) 720-9113
Press@fsis.usda.gov






WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2018 – 

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, a Richmond, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 18,296 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry deli-sliced products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat meat and poultry deli-sliced products items were produced and packaged from Sept. 14, 2018 through Oct. 3, 2018. To view the list of the recalled products, click here, [View Labels here (PDF only)].

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST.19979” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The problem was discovered on Oct. 4, 2018, when FSIS received notification from the establishment that they had received and processed products implicated in FSIS Recall 084-2018.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Susan Rowe, executive administrator at Ukrop’s, at (804) 340-3104.

Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.


You’ll find Ukrop’s homemade foods in many aisles and corners of your local grocery store–and, in the case of our White House Rolls and cookies, even online. For decades, our foods have provided valued customers with prepared meals, baked goods, and desserts and cakes made with time-honored recipes.

Ukrop’s

We make a variety of freshly-prepared foods, available for purchase at grocery stores throughout the Richmond region and central Virginia. Perhaps that’s a full lunch or dinner, or simply a few savory sides to pair with your own home-cooked meal.  You’ll find a host of delicious entrees and family meals, deli salads, sandwiches, rolls and baked goods, pies, cookies and desserts, and seasonal items. And our skilled bakers and cake decorators are on standby to custom-make cakes for special celebrations–and even your wedding day. By the way, our foods contain no added preservatives and are made in a peanut-free bakery and kitchen.  They maybe occasionally contaminated with Listeria bacteria due to badly decontaminated equipment, but we will let you know before you eat them.

USDA Recall Classifications
Class I	This is a health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death.
Class II	This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product.
Class III	This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences.