Fraternity hazing arrests at University of Alabama

The incident that prompted the arrests of members of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Alabama took place on September 14.

“When the chapter president learned of the incident, he took the initiative to conduct an investigation and then contacted the University to report his findings”, he said.

UA, in concert with Phi Gamma Delta worldwide Fraternity, has placed interim sanctions on the chapter. Officials at the frat’s global headquarters are working with school officials to impose the party ban, Bryant said.

Also facing three counts of hazing is 21-year-old John P. Buckley of Houston; 20-year-old Hunter L. Wagner of Huntsville; and 20-year-old Richard E. Markwalter of Huntsville.

Four of the students have each been charged with three counts of hazing – a class C misdemeanor – while Powers faces one.

The suspects were booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail, and bond amounts are $1,000 for each of them. They face individual punishments from the school in addition to the sanctions placed on the frat. ‘Students who are the victims of, or who become aware of, hazing incidents are strongly encouraged to bring these incidents to our attention’.

Their arrest follows an investigation by the university into allegations that members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity made pledges stand in buckets of ice and salt, causing burns on pledges’ feet, The Birmingham News reported.

No details about the hazing allegations were divulged in a press release issued by the university Wednesday night. As of 9:45, the five arrested students had bonded out, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office website.