Chong Reports To Prison; Appeal Being Prepared
Actor Sentenced In Pittsburgh Drug Bust
POSTED: 12:24 p.m. EDT May 13, 2003
UPDATED: 11:36 a.m. EDT October 9, 2003
PITTSBURGH -- Actor-comedian Tommy Chong reported to a privately run federal prison on Wednesday to serve his nine-month sentence for conspiring to sell bongs and other drug paraphernalia over the Internet.
Chong, best known from the "Cheech And Chong" movies and comedy routines, was sentenced Sept. 11 by U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab in Pittsburgh. He reported to a minimum-security facility run for the Federal Bureau of Prisons near Bakersfield, Calif.
Schwab has set an Oct. 16 hearing on a request by Chong's attorney to release the 65-year-old actor (pictured, left)
while he appeals the sentence.
At his sentencing, Chong said he got carried away with his fictional marijuana-smoking movie character, but had quit pot and wanted to use his celebrity to help people stay off drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Houghton argued that Chong grew wealthy by glamorizing drug use and mocking police in his films. Houghton also said Chong used his movie characters to promote his business, Nice Dreams Enterprises, which sold bongs and pipes nationwide under the name Chong Glass.
Chong's attorneys want a sentence of no more than six months' house arrest and six months' probation.
Chong was busted as part of "Operation Pipe Dreams," a national drug crackdown. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration set up a local sting and purchased $6,000 worth of items through a front called Thompson Novelties in Beaver Falls, Beaver County.
Federal agents later raided Chong's business in California and said they found financial records linking him to bong sales.
Chong, best known from the "Cheech And Chong" movies and comedy routines, was sentenced Sept. 11 by U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab in Pittsburgh. He reported to a minimum-security facility run for the Federal Bureau of Prisons near Bakersfield, Calif.
Schwab has set an Oct. 16 hearing on a request by Chong's attorney to release the 65-year-old actor (pictured, left)
while he appeals the sentence.
At his sentencing, Chong said he got carried away with his fictional marijuana-smoking movie character, but had quit pot and wanted to use his celebrity to help people stay off drugs.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Houghton argued that Chong grew wealthy by glamorizing drug use and mocking police in his films. Houghton also said Chong used his movie characters to promote his business, Nice Dreams Enterprises, which sold bongs and pipes nationwide under the name Chong Glass.
Chong's attorneys want a sentence of no more than six months' house arrest and six months' probation.
Chong was busted as part of "Operation Pipe Dreams," a national drug crackdown. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration set up a local sting and purchased $6,000 worth of items through a front called Thompson Novelties in Beaver Falls, Beaver County.
Federal agents later raided Chong's business in California and said they found financial records linking him to bong sales.Copyright 2003 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
