Mother of hazing victim speaks out after fraternity cocaine ring bust
Anti-hazing advocate Evelyn Piazza addressed allegations involving Penn State fraternity members, including drug trafficking and hazing charges, during an appearance on “America’s Newsroom.” Grand jury records accuse 14 people of participating 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 at a Texas State University fraternity were arrested Tuesday after police said an 18-year-old was forced into a pickup truck while screaming for help.
Russell Wilde, a public safety communications specialist for the city of San Marcos, told News Outlet that police began receiving multiple reports at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday. Callers described men allegedly forcing another man into a blue pickup truck.
A probable cause affidavit cited by KSAT said the 18-year-old had been taken into the truck with his mouth taped shut. He was reportedly shouting for someone to help him and release him.
Wyatt Carr, 18, faces a misdemeanor hazing charge stemming from an alleged fraternity initiation incident at Texas State University. (Hays County Sheriff’s Office)
Officers eventually found the pickup at the Arba Apartments in San Marcos. Court records indicate the people involved were pledges of Texas State University’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Police arrested William Oldner, 19, Noah Lara, 20, Tyler Fogg, 18, and Wyatt Carr, 18.
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William Oldner, 19, was one of four fraternity pledges arrested on misdemeanor hazing charges 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)
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The student taken into the truck is an active fraternity member. He was not injured, authorities said.
Wilde said investigators learned that the group described the incident as a fraternity initiation tradition.
Noah Lara, 20, was among the four Texas State University fraternity pledges charged with misdemeanor hazing after an 18-year-old was allegedly forced into a pickup truck. (Hays County Sheriff’s Office)
“Those involved told officers the incident was a tradition,” Wilde said.
Each of the four men was arrested on a misdemeanor hazing charge.
A spokeswoman for Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters said the organization is aware of the reported hazing incident.
Tyler Fogg, 18, was arrested on a misdemeanor hazing charge in connection with 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 places the safety of every member, along with the safety of people on the campuses and in the communities where it operates, in the highest regard. The Fraternity does not support or condone conduct that puts others at risk.”
News Outlet contacted Texas State University as well as Carr, Oldner, Lara and Fogg seeking comment.
