Mother of hazing victim speaks out after fraternity cocaine ring bust
Anti-hazing advocate Evelyn Piazza discusses drug trafficking and hazing allegations involving Penn State fraternity members on America’s Newsroom. Grand jury records identify 14 defendants accused in a multistate cocaine operation linked to the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities. Prosecutors allege pledges helped cut and package cocaine brought in from New York and Philadelphia.
Four pledges from a Texas State University fraternity were arrested Tuesday after an 18-year-old was allegedly forced into a pickup truck while screaming, police said.
Officers began receiving calls at about 10:40 p.m. reporting that several men were forcing another man into a blue pickup truck, Russell Wilde, a public safety communications specialist for San Marcos, told News Media.
According to KSAT, a probable-cause affidavit said the 18-year-old was forced into the truck with his mouth taped shut. The affidavit stated that he yelled for help and pleaded with the men to release him.
Wyatt Carr, 18, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor hazing in connection with an alleged fraternity initiation incident at Texas State University. (Hays County Sheriff’s Office)
Police later found the truck at the Arba Apartments in San Marcos. Court documents identified those involved as pledges of Texas State University’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Authorities arrested William Oldner, 19, Noah Lara, 20, Tyler Fogg, 18, and Wyatt Carr, 18.
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Oldner, 19, was one of four fraternity pledges arrested and charged with misdemeanor hazing after an 18-year-old was allegedly forced into a pickup truck as part of an initiation ritual at Texas State University. (Hays County Sheriff’s Office)
The 18-year-old victim, who is an active member of the fraternity, was not injured, officials said.
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Wilde said the men told officers they were carrying out a fraternity initiation tradition.
Lara, 20, was among the four Texas State University fraternity pledges arrested and charged with misdemeanor hazing after police said an 18-year-old was forced into a pickup truck. (Hays County Sheriff’s Office)
“Those involved told officers the incident was a tradition,” Wilde said.
All four men were booked on misdemeanor hazing charges.
A spokeswoman for Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters said the organization was aware of the alleged hazing incident.
Fogg, 18, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor hazing after an alleged fraternity initiation incident at Texas State University. (Hays County Sheriff’s Office)
“Phi Delta Theta is aware of an incident involving several students associated with the Texas Mu Chapter at Texas State University. Upon learning of the matter, Phi Delta Theta began gathering information and is working closely with the university and local law enforcement. The Fraternity will continue to cooperate fully throughout the investigation,” the spokeswoman said. “Phi Delta Theta holds the safety of every member of the Fraternity as well as the individuals of the campuses and communities they are a part of, in the highest regard, and does not support or condone behavior that jeopardizes the safety of others.”
News Media contacted Texas State University and Carr, Oldner, Lara and Fogg for comment.