By Associated Press - Thursday, July 18, 2019

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - In a story July 18 about the sending of a former police officer, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the man’s name was Brandan Smirnoff. The correct full name and spelling is Michael Brandon Smirnoff.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Former Alabama officer gets prison for assault



A former Alabama police officer is going to prison for assaulting a handcuffed prisoner

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - A former Alabama police officer is going to prison for assaulting a handcuffed prisoner.

Federal prosecutors in Montgomery say a judge sentenced former Tallassee police investigator Michael Brandon Smirnoff to nearly two years in prison.

Smirnoff pleaded guilty earlier this year to violating the rights of a 24-year-old man he was arresting in 2016.

Prosecutors say a man, identified only by the initials J.M., led officers on a chase on a four-wheeler before stopping and lying down on the ground. They say Smirnoff then picked up J.M. and slammed him to the ground while the man was handcuff. A statement says Smirnoff also slammed the man’s head into the side of a police car.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Authorities say the prisoner didn’t pose a threat to police during the assault.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.