Last July, the FMCSA ordered Murfeesboro, Tennessee-based carrier Three Angels Farms out of service and declared the carrier an “imminent hazard to the public’s safety” after the company was involved in two accidents in a six-month time period that resulted in the death of 4 horses.
On January 17, 2012, a Three Angels Farms driver fell asleep behind the wheel, veered to the right side of the road and lost control, causing the trailer to overturn. The trailer was carrying 38 horses, 3 died.
Following the accident, the driver reported that he had been working at the farm all night and had only had a 30 minute break in a 24-hour time period.
The second accident occurred on June 12, 2012, when a Three Angels Farms vehicle, that was operated by a driver with a suspended CDL, wrecked on 1-40 West. The trailer was carrying 36 horses, 1 had to be euthanized.
This week, a federal grand jury indicted the company’s owners, Dorian Ayache, 65, and Theresa Vincent, 53, for violating DOT regulations.
Ayache has been indicted on 9 counts of violating DOT regulations, one count of conspiring to defraud the U.S. and two counts of obstructing a grand jury investigation.
Vincent has been charged with conspiring to defraud the U.S. He also faces one count of perjury.
According to the indictment, Ayache violated the order and continued operating under the name of Terri’s Farm.
In addition, Ayache allegedly “concealed and attempted to destroy emails with the intent to impair their availability for use in the grand jury investigation,” the Lebanon Democrat reported.
Ayache faces up to 20 years in jail for each count of obstruction, five years for conspiracy and one year for violating DOT regulations.
Vincent faces up to five years in prison for conspiracy and perjury.