Fiona Apple Vs. Hudspeth County Sheriff Department

The show was Apple’s first since she was arrested Sept. 19 at a Border Patrol checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, Texas. Police found about four grams of marijuana and four grams of “a clay-like substance that tested positive for hashish,” according to the Associated Press.

Apple spent the night at the county jail and was released Sept. 20 after posting bail. Hours before her Sept. 20 gig in Austin, the show was postponed.     

By Friday she was ready to discuss the incident.

A video recorded at Houston’s performance begins with the singer apologizing to someone at Hudspeth County Jail for being “attitude-y.” She added that most of the people were nice – except for four individuals.

“There are four of you out there. And I want you to know that I heard everything you did,” Apple said. “I wrote it all down, with your names and everything you did and said, stupidly thinking that I couldn’t hear or see you.”

She went on to say that she had ripped up the paper and encoded the information in two lock boxes that she called “holding cell one” and “holding cell two.”

“In holding cell one is the encoded version of the shit that you did that I know was inappropriate and probably illegal. In holding cell two is the decoder. I’m the only one who holds the key, and you and I will be intimate forever because I will hold that secret forever.”

Apple threatened to make the individuals famous at any moment by opening the boxes. The video ends with the singer saying, “So why don’t you stay in your f**king holding cell.”

In response, Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Rusty Fleming says he’s not worried about becoming famous.

TMZ posted the following letter from Fleming:

“First, Honey, I’m already more famous than you, I don’t need your help. However, it would appear that you need mine.

“Two weeks ago nobody in the country cared about what you had to say, – now that you’ve been arrested it appears your entire career has been jump-started. Don’t worry Sweetie, I won’t bill you.

“Next, have you ever heard of Snoop, Willie or Armand Hammer? Maybe if you would read something besides your own press releases, you would have known BEFORE you got here, that if you come to Texas with dope, the cops will take your DOPE away and put YOU in jail.

“Even though you and I only met briefly in the hallway, I don’t know you but I’m sure you’re an awesome and talented young woman and even though I’m not a fan of yours, I am sure there are thousands of them out there, and I’m sure that they would just as soon you get this all behind you and let you go back to what you do best – so my last piece of advice is simple ‘just shut-up and sing.’”