Unnamed Congressman Has Tim DeChristopher Moved into Solitary Confinement

[starroute]

38. In any case, he was released from the isolation unit today

This Washington Post story clarifies the original somewhat by explaining that his use of the word "threaten" might have been what set things off. I'll grant you that it's still somewhat fuzzy, especially concerning the role of the unidentified congressman. But I still think you're being too quick to pooh-pooh the very possibility that he was singled out for punishment -- especially since the felony sentence itself was distinctly excessive for a simple act of civil disobedience.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/lawyers-say-federal-prison-releases-utah-environmental-activist-from-confinement/2012/03/29/gIQAE65DjS_story.html

A prominent environmental activist has been released from an isolation unit at a federal prison and placed back into a minimum-security camp after choosing an ill-advised word in an email about one of his legal-defense donors, his lawyers said Thursday. . . .

DeChristopher was asking supporters to check a rumor that one of his major donors to a legal defense fund was planning to move some manufacturing operations overseas. If true, “I’d threaten to return their money or give it to the workers if they’re protesting,” DeChristopher wrote, according to Shea.

The U.S. Bureau of Prison won’t confirm or deny that DeChristopher was punished or discuss the nature of any of his emails. Federal prosecutors in Salt Lake City also refused comment Thursday.

Shea said DeChristopher’s casual use of “threaten” was inadvisable “and I think he learned a lesson that you don’t necessarily put all of your thoughts down in emails.”