DEA Jailed San Diego Student and Left Him Unattended for 5 Days

Boxer Calls for DOJ Investigation into Detention of U San Diego Student

Daniel Chong, a 23-year-old UC San Diego student

(WASHINGTON DC) - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today sent a letter urging Attorney General Eric Holder to order an immediate and thorough Justice Department investigation into why University of California-San Diego student Daniel Chong was reportedly forgotten while in Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) custody for nearly five days. According to reports, he was given no food or water, and his cries for help went unanswered.

In the letter, Senator Boxer writes:

“

Given the seriousness of this incident, I urge you to personally ensure that the Department of Justice conducts a full and thorough investigation to find out what happened, who was responsible and what steps must be taken to make sure it never happens again. After the investigation is completed, I ask that you please provide me with the results and the actions the department will take to make sure those responsible are held accountable and that no one in DEA custody will ever again be forced to endure such treatment.

”

The full text of Senator Boxer’s letter is below:

May 2, 2012

The Honorable Eric H. Holder
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 20530

Dear Attorney General Holder,

I am sure you are aware of the horrific story of a University of California-San Diego student, Daniel Chong, who was taken into custody by the Drug Enforcement Administration and suffered greatly after apparently being forgotten in a holding cell for nearly five days. According to reports, he was given no food or water, and his cries for help went unanswered.

Given the seriousness of this incident, I urge you to personally ensure that the Department of Justice conducts a full and thorough investigation to find out what happened, who was responsible and what steps must be taken to make sure it never happens again.

After the investigation is completed, I ask that you please provide me with the results and the actions the department will take to make sure those responsible are held accountable and that no one in DEA custody will ever again be forced to endure such treatment.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

Source: http://boxer.senate.gov/en/press/releases/050212.cfm