Duncan Hunter, California Rep., Seeks Information From DEA After Student Forgotten In Holding Cell

WASHINGTON -- Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter says that leaving a 23-year-old college student in a holding cell for four days suggests a breakdown in procedure and oversight within the Drug Enforcement Administration's division in San Diego.

The DEA has apologized to Daniel Chong, who says he drank his own urine to survive. Agents told him he would be released after he was caught up in a drug raid at a friend's house, but apparently forgot him.

Hunter says the case may be an isolated incident, but he's concerned that it's potentially a symptom of bigger problems.

Hunter says in a letter Thursday to DEA's administrator that he wants a full accounting of the man's incarceration. He also wants information about any other reviews or investigations connected to the agency's San Diego division.

Comments

[hamblogggerman]

12:43 AM on 05/16/2012

Not sure why Duncan Hunter would be upset by this, him being such a staunch advocate of indefinite detention via the N.D.A.A!

[DeliaLopez4Cong]

11:57 AM on 05/07/2012

We need to end prohibition. It did not work the first time with alcohol. The same things happened. Dealers got rich, violence, expanding government and infringement of our rights.
Ron Paul for president!

[Davewayoutwest]

02:08 PM on 05/05/2012

Duncan Hunter says it may be an isolated incident, but he's concerned it's potentially a symptom of bigger problems. The people should be concerned about Hunter's involvement in trying to make the Haditha massacre trial of Frank Wuterich "go away." Camp Pendleton Patch, an on-line newspaper reported the story yesterday, with an incriminating email, of Hunter's alleged use of his office in this attempt to impede or obstruct justice in an ongoing criminal investigation in July, 2011. The email was from Wuterich's attorney, Mark Zaid.

[Bob Macfarlane]

01:39 PM on 05/04/2012

Be it an accident, stupidity or intentional, the kid does not deserve $20 million.

[hertamania]

11:46 AM on 05/04/2012

This is what you get when you have to hire UNION government workers. Lets see some geti fired over this. The taxpayers are going to pay a bundle to this kid for what the feds did.

[Bob Macfarlane]

01:40 PM on 05/04/2012

Why is the government going to pay a thing? You really believe the kid deserves "a bundle" for this?

[hertamania]

11:34 AM on 05/05/2012

The feds did wrong, just not that much wrong. There will be a judge somewhere that will give the guy a bunch of money.

[dclewis1]

10:46 AM on 05/04/2012

This is not isolated. I know of a youth they've held for nearly 2 years - not charged, not tried, just held in a cell. The detention and judiciary tied to these bogus agencies is just outta control. Note: I'm not saying the guy I know is innocent, guilty, or whatever - but you and I as tax payers are stuck caring for him (and the people charging us to take care of him are making $) and his civil liberties are nil.

[Bob Macfarlane]

01:41 PM on 05/04/2012

Why don't you name the "youth" so we can take of the cause of him being released?

[dclewis1]

06:04 PM on 05/04/2012

Because he may not want to be named. He's about 25 yrs old, kind of old for a youth, but young by my standards. I think it's quite likely he's guilty but leaving people in limbo does no one any good - we're paying those costs. I surmise that private prisons/detention centers get paid by the number of occupants, and I suspect we've contracted out the magistrate function to the same people - with the result that if nobody is discharged you can keep a full house.

[H2OsChild]

10:43 AM on 05/04/2012

Ok...here it comes, the Congressman is ready to finger-point and start "viewing with alarm" Sure can tell its an election year!

[Madam Macrame]

09:51 AM on 05/04/2012

Why was this boy not able to call for help from within his small holding cell? Why was the cell so small and dark, and no water or toilet; and why was it sound proof to the point that no one could hear him scream for help?

[hbssl]

09:37 AM on 05/04/2012

Good Luck. The most poorly run federal department. riff with corruption and incompetence and cocaine cowboys that are above the law

[TOMARIO]

09:03 AM on 05/04/2012

Most prisoners are monitored frequently for
their own safety and suicide prevention.

This is just another example of the total breakdown
of the federal law enforcement agencies.

There was talk of the Secret Service having a "culture" problem.
Compared to the other the feds the SS runs like a Swiss watch.

The other agencies have a TOTAL culture problem. Not to
name names but the DEA, FBI, CIA ...... all incompetent BOOBS.

Here is their protocol in order of importance:
(1) Protect oneself, seek advancement.
(2) Never let the agency look bad,
(3) Get what you can for yourself,
(4) If any time left, look at a file or two.

Tomario

PS#1 - First-hand knowledge.

[marvineh2001]

09:02 AM on 05/04/2012

Yeah this happened to inmates and denying them medication in the infirmary at the County Jail and they had Sheriff's who took their ID's that they needed to get anywhere in their correctional facility. I was taken off my metformin seven days before I was unleashed. I stayed in the infirmary with other inmates and they were banging on the walls for their medications that they desperately needed. When they stripped inmates it reminds you of Jews that are getting ready to be exterminated. We ate food in the cold rain and snow and freezing temperatures all the time. They rousted inmates out of their bunk beds and threw them on the floor and tazed them all the time.

[Frank Larkin]

09:02 AM on 05/04/2012

I think this kid is famous now, he came up with a new Cali drink. Chong-juice.
Mix it up in the sink,
it comes from his.....
It's not so long,
but it tastes like Chong

[JNR]

08:57 AM on 05/04/2012

Daniel Chong has earned a check from the US Government with a LOT of zeros in it.

[USA BUSHED]

08:41 AM on 05/04/2012

`

[Rexter]

08:39 AM on 05/04/2012

The DEA is another rogue agency trading in drugs and arms, destabilizing governemnts along with the CIA. Under the guise and label of enforcement they pretty much do whatevr they please under Eric Holder. The DOJ has gotten way off track and involved in criminal acts under his leadership. Down with Holder and his boss too!

[American46]

11:28 AM on 05/04/2012

I'm not so sure about what you say about Holder, but the DEA is one of the tyrannical arms of the US government.

[Rexter]

12:07 PM on 05/04/2012

The U.S. government has become way more than the founders had envisioned thanks to one little clause in the constitution - "commerce". They use that to justify everything they do. If anything moves across a state's boundary it's "commerce" - anything!

Vote for state's rights!