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Case 1:24-cr-10178-FDS Document 77 Filed 05/23/25 Page 1 of 6
United States
District of Massachusetts
US v. Dean Tran
Docket 14 -
Affidavit of Dean Tran
I, Dean Tran of Fitchburg, do hereby declare and depose as follows:
1) I Am Dean Tran of Fitchburg. I currently have a merits appeal pending before the First Circuit, in my 2023 case and am facing a 2024 indictment for Obstruction. I am currently scheduled for Trial at the end of July.
2) I am currently confined at FMC Devens. At Devens, I am in the SHU, despite my original assignment to the low security camp at Devens.
3) On weekends locked up, 24/7, in a room 9 x 6, cement Block.
4) On week days, if nice weather, allowed 1 hour of rec in 18x14 chicken cage.
5) My mental health is deteriorating. I cannot focus Cannot concentrate. Can't think. Haven't Been able to eat or sleep well. Lost weight, first week, [illegible]LBS. Asked for access to [struck through: Psychiatrist] Psychologist but that is not presently allowed.
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Case 1:24-cr-10178-FDS Document 77 Filed 05/23/25 Page 2 of 6
6) Sent a message to Medical to tell them I've Been dizzy, lightheaded & fainted a few times. That was 4 weeks ago & there has been no response. In the same period I [struck through] sent a message to the Dietician, informing them of request for medical & requested proper food w/ sugar content. No response.
7) Right now described as Mental #1 & Medical #2, both requiring attention. No attention recieved.
8) The conditions are not sufficient for human life. The Tap water available leaves a white, solid white, residue. The food portions are insufficient, all Prisoners near me, myself included are [struck through] insufficient. Prisoners must ration their small portions to not starve, but if caught, the food is taken away.
9) The commissary has no food available for purchase.
10) Oral hygiene is poor. No floss available. I think I have a cracked tooth. I asked to see dental. That is apparently not allowed in the SHU.
11) Law Library is a computer in a cell. No paper, No pen. No internet access. No research. No emails. The only available material is an old 2010 Lexis Nexis CD. Cannot take notes, or assist in my defense. [struck through]
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12) Access to law library is permissive & not guaranteed. It Depends on the CO.
13) My assignment to the Camp has been revoked
14) I believe that I am the longest current resident of SHU
15) I am on some kind of list for "redesignation" but the counselor I spoke to today indicated I am not in the system for redesignation. I am, literally, lost in the System & Bureaucracy of the Prison.
16) I sleep on a Plastic piece, without foam. I have No Mattress. I am [struck through] sleeping on a metal bunk.
17) We rotate cells every 20 Days. This is my 6th cell.
[struck through: 18) I have not]
17A) Despite Prison Policy, not allowed access to Barber or tools for haircut. No trim in 64 days
18) [struck through] I have been threatened by a CO that if I keep asking about my Status, he would have the Counselor keep me in the SHU longer.
19) I have been the subject of specific & determined racial [struck through] harrassment by a CO. A large number of Asian stereotypes, Such as referring to me a Jackie Tran, or requests for Karate lesson, references to being "Ching Chong Chong"
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19) (cont) the CO has advised other personnel to speak Chinese, to me.
20) [struck through: According to] Mail getting to me is not reliable. A letter from my wife took [struck through] more than 2 weeks to get there
21) Every week I only get 4 Page of paper and [struck through: one] a Pencil. You cannot ask for, or get, additional Paper or envelopes. If the Short pencil Breaks, there is no replacement of it.
22) I believe my legal Mail is being [struck through] read by the Prison. A fellow prisoner signed a form, and thereafter he Seals his legal mail envelope for Sealed Pickup. I have been instructed to write "legal" on the envelope, but NOT Seal it. I think all my outgoing mail, to Both Attorney & wife is being read.
23) I am only allowed to recieve 10 pages of mail Per day.
24) All of my mail is copied, the Prison apparently retains the Originals. The Policy purports to treat legal Mail differently, but does not keep it confidential.
25) There is no Meaningful access to a computer, So my atty can't give me discovery material.
(4)
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26) I am only allowed one visit per week, thursday Morning. I must choose between Seeing family & Seeing Atty.
27) Family visits are supposed to be 90 Minutes but mine are always cut Short & have never been that long.
28) Because my visits are limited, I have been unable to see the Atty handling my present State case in Worcester Superior.
[struck through: 29) Visitat]
29) I am in the SHU, which is supposed to be reserved for disciplinary Segregation. I have NO write-ups or disciplinary record to date.
30) My Current confinement Conditions are at odds With my Designation from the DSCC (Designation & Sentencing Computation Center) from Grand Prarie, Texas.
31) In these conditions I cannot mount a Defense to the Charges against me. My health is deteriorating, mental & Physical.
32) [struck through] I find difficulty in writing even a short letter. I am in a haze and often can't think Straight.
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Case 1:24-cr-10178-FDS Document 77 Filed 05/23/25 Page 6 of 6
Sworn to under the Penalties of Perjury on this 22nd of May 2025,
[signature]
Dean Tran
Been counting day on the wall, I am informed of the date by my Atty.
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