DEA Apologizes to Daniel Chong For Locking Him in a Cell for Five Days Without Food or Water

Mike Riggs | 5.2.2012 3:51 PM

Daniel Chong, the 23-year-old UC San Diego student who was arrested during a DEA raid on a 4/20 party, interrogated for four hours, then left in a holding cell for five days without food or water, has received an apology from the DEA.

According to the Associated Press, "DEA San Diego Acting Special Agent-In-Charge William R. Sherman said in a statement that he was troubled by the treatment of Daniel Chong and extended his 'deepest apologies' to him."

It only took one week and a massive media firestorm for Sherman to apologize.

Chong is continuing with his lawsuit against the agency.

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

NEXT: Mainstream Media Outlets Are Buying the Drug Czar's "Third Way" Lie, Hook, Line, and Sinker

Hide Comments (35)

Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.

Hell's Librarian 13 years ago

William R. Sherman said in a statement that he was troubled by the treatment of Daniel Chong and extended his 'deepest apologies' to him."

I realize that this is probably all he is allowed say say because of his lawyer(s), but JFC. REALLY? If the guy had croaked, I wonder if Agent Sherman's apology would have gotten something a little closer to lukewarm.
1. daveInAustin 13 years ago
  
  I wonder why this isn't getting more coverage. Listen to drug war apologist Robert DuPont, M.D suggesting that the problem is that we aren't catching enough drug users. How many more people are going to be forgotten in holding cells, or have cavity searches, or get shot during raids for that to happen?
DEATFBIRSECIA 13 years ago

I bet Kumar would have figured a way out of there, snow leopard, hang glider, something!
1. Karl Hungus 13 years ago
  
  I bet Kumar would have figured a way out of there
  
  And hopefully before the cockmeat sandwich . . .
  1. Rich 13 years ago
    
    "extended his 'deepest apologies' to him"
    
    So, maybe not before.
Karl Hungus 13 years ago

Apologies are nice, and the fat, taxpayer-funded settlement that's inevitably coming is all well and good, but things won't be made right until people go to jail for what happened to this kid.
1. Hell's Librarian 13 years ago
  
  Seriously. It amazes me that the first thing these clowns said in response to this event was "It was only four days, not five." Jesus.
  1. Abdul 13 years ago
    
    Who are you going to trust, a law enforcement officer or a dehydrated, exhausted, hallucinating man who's been eating meth?
    1. AlmightyJB 13 years ago
      
      We all know the answer to that.
      1. Rich 13 years ago
        
        Is it, the one who has no motivation to lie?
  2. Joe M 13 years ago
    
    "He only ate two pieces of glass, not seven like he claimed."
2. Episiarch 13 years ago
  
  Things aren't going to be made right. Unfortunately.
  1. Karl Hungus 13 years ago
    
    Things aren't going to be made right. Unfortunately.
    
    I bet careers will be ended over this, but only grudgingly, and only because of the attention the case is receiving. And at least they can't try to claim that "procedures were followed."
plu1959 13 years ago

What's the longest someone can survive without water?
1. BakedPenguin 13 years ago
  
  A quick google suggests 3-7 days, depending on the person. You can stretch it a little if, like Chong, you drink your urine.
  1. LarryA 13 years ago
    
    Mainly it depends on temperature and relative humidity. Air conditioning stretches the time considerably.
DEATFBIRSECIA 13 years ago

Like this, only intentional:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_bMhNI_TY8
Loki 13 years ago

Remember when the neocons used to assure us that there was no reason to get our panties in a bunch over terror suspects being treated like this at Gitmo because it wasn't like American citizens would ever be abused like this? Good times...
1. tarran 13 years ago
  
  As john Cusack said in Grosse Point Blank:
  
  I'm not a psychopath.
  Psychopaths kill people for no reason.
  I kill people for money!
  
  Wait! That came out wrong!
T 13 years ago

More blatant double standards for law enforcement. I keep somebody locked up for 5 days with no food or water and do I get to slide with just an apology? Bet your ass I don't, but the DEA does. Fucking bullshit, man!
1. aix42 13 years ago
  
  kidnapping, forcible confinement... oh yeah, qualified immunity.
2. General Butt Naked 13 years ago
  
  Another of anti-cop bigotarati. There is NO double standard, in fact I bet these officers will be treated worse than if a private citizen did this.
  
  Hell, I have many anecdotes that I made up to prove you wrong. It's called legal analysis asshole.
  1. aix42 13 years ago
    
    I'd take that bet.
    
    I am an asshole. I'm also a big prick.
3. Anonymous Coward 13 years ago
  
  The DEA is here to enforce the law. The best way to do so is by breaking the law (kidnapping, false imprisonment, criminal negligence).
4. Tulpa the White 13 years ago
  
  Not a good analogy since you'd be committing a felony locking someone up for 10 minutes, while for them it's part of the job.
  1. Ryan 13 years ago
    
    You're right. They're committing a crime, AND being paid. It's a terrible analogy.
A Serious Man 13 years ago

Is there any chance he doesn't get a big settlement? I'm sure there are some obscure rules regarding immunity or something that the DEA might try to invoke in order to escape liability.
1. Tulpa the White 13 years ago
  
  If they settle this story dies. And it's not like it's their money.
Hugh Akston 13 years ago

I have to wonder if there is anyone, anywhere that will defend the DEA's action in this incident.

Besides Gil Kerlikowske and the kinder, gentler Obama Administration of course.
Brutus 13 years ago

It's like "Idiocracy" in real life.
1. ant1sthenes 13 years ago
  
  Not quite so dumb as to be comically inept. More like Brazil, really.
  1. aix42 13 years ago
    
    scary shit man. Banality of evil
The Fatman 13 years ago

Where is that Fuck Dunphy? How come he hasn't been by to tell us that "procedures were followed" and "cops get prosecuted all the time" bull shit and cock-swaddle he is always trying to feed us. Gods above and below I despise that cocksucking parasite. Why, oh why, won't he die in a fire with his progeny?
1. Tulpa the White 13 years ago
  
  I've never heard Dunphy defend the DEA or any federal coppish agency.
2. aix42 13 years ago
  
  dunphy seems fair to me. He does not defend police by default.
  
  good to have views from all sides.
  
  Law enforcement needs very high standards that few could match, but it seems like just another job.
juris imprudent 13 years ago

D-E-A-fro-man: I forgot to let you out, because you got high.
TingoZing 13 years ago

I jsut dont know dude that does not make any sense at all man, None.

http://www.Privacy-Guys.tk

Please log in to post comments

DEA Apologizes to Daniel Chong For Locking Him in a Cell for Five Days Without Food or Water

Latest

Cops Called on Dad for Playing Catch with 14-Year-Old Son at Park

ICE Denies Reason Access to Immigration Court In Miami Detention Center

Deported for Innocent Tattoos?

Oh, Canada

Federal Court 'Vacates in Its Entirety' the FDA's Costly and Onerous Lab Test Rule

Recommended

Login Form