Four Texas State University fraternity pledges have been arrested after witnesses reported seeing a young man with tape covering his mouth being forced into a pickup truck while desperately shouting to be released.
asserted
tape → arrest → truck
The alarming incident sparked a flurry of 911 calls in San Marcos, Texas, as bystanders feared they were witnessing an abduction.
But when police tracked down the vehicle, they found the four men allegedly responsible were fraternity pledges taking part in what they described as an initiation tradition.
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they → spark → tradition
The suspects were identified as Noah Lara, 20, Wyatt Carr, 18, William Oldner, 19, and Tyler Fogg, 18, all associated with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Texas State University.
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all → identify → University
All four now face criminal hazing charges and could be jailed for up to six months if convicted.
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four → face → months
The disturbing episode unfolded at approximately 10.40pm last Tuesday when multiple witnesses contacted emergency dispatchers after spotting several men apparently forcing another person into a blue pickup truck.
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men → unfold → truck
According to investigators, the 18-year-old victim had tape over his mouth and was shouting for help as the men allegedly bundled him into the vehicle.
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men → accord → vehicle
The scene was sufficiently alarming that several people independently contacted police, prompting officers to search for the truck.
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people → contact → truck
Noah Lara, 20, was the oldest of four Texas State University fraternity pledges arrested over the alleged hazing incident
Wyatt Carr, 18, faces a misdemeanor hazing charge after an active fraternity member was allegedly forced into a pickup truck
Texas State University's campus in San Marcos, where officials have condemned the alleged hazing and warned that even voluntary participation violates university policy
Investigators eventually located the vehicle at the Arba apartment complex in San Marcos.
Police discovered that the man allegedly being forced into the truck was already a member of Phi Delta Theta, while the four men accused of grabbing him were pledges hoping to join the fraternity.
Rather than an attack by strangers, investigators were told that the incident was part of a fraternity initiation.
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incident → arrest → initiation
According to the San Marcos Police Department, the suspects described the episode as 'a tradition.'
In an apparent reversal of the usual fraternity hierarchy, the pledges were allegedly targeting an existing member rather than being subjected to the ritual themselves.
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pledges → accord → ritual
The 18-year-old fraternity member was not physically injured, according to court documents cited by local television station KSAT.
Lara, Carr, Oldner and Fogg were arrested and charged with hazing, a Class B misdemeanor under Texas law.
If convicted, each could face a maximum penalty of 180 days behind bars, a $2,000 fine, or both.
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each → injure → bars
William Oldner, 19, was among four pledges who allegedly told police the disturbing incident was part of a fraternity initiation tradition
Tyler Fogg, 18, could face up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted of the hazing charge
The arrests have also raised fresh questions about the activities taking place within college fraternities and the lengths some students allegedly go to as part of membership rituals.
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students → tell → rituals
Texas State University moved quickly to condemn hazing, insisting that it has no place on campus or within organizations associated with the institution.
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it → move → institution
In a statement, university officials said they were 'committed to maintaining social and ethical responsibility for everyone and does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the university.'
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they → say → university
The university also emphasized that even voluntary 'participation in hazing activities is against state law and university policy.'
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participation → emphasize → law
It remains unclear whether any of the four students will face additional disciplinary proceedings through the university.
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any → remain → university
A spokesperson declined to discuss individual disciplinary matters, citing federal student privacy protections.
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spokesperson → decline → protections
Meanwhile, the national leadership of Phi Delta Theta has acknowledged the incident and promised to cooperate with investigators.
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leadership → acknowledge → investigators
'Phi Delta Theta is aware of an incident involving several students associated with the Texas Mu Chapter at Texas State University,' the organization said.
'
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organization → involve → University
Upon learning of the matter, Phi Delta Theta began gathering information and is working closely with the university and local law enforcement.
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Theta → learn → university
Police tracked the pickup truck to the Arba apartment complex on Aquarena Springs Drive in San Marcos after receiving multiple alarming 911 calls
The Phi Delta Theta fraternity, whose Texas State chapter is at the center of the scandal, says it is cooperating with police and does not condone dangerous initiation rituals
The fraternity added: 'The Fraternity will continue to cooperate fully throughout the investigation.'
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Fraternity → track → investigation
Its national leadership also stressed that the organization does not tolerate conduct that threatens the wellbeing of students or members of the public.
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that → stress → public
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.'
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that → hold → others
The Texas arrests come amid mounting scrutiny of fraternity misconduct at universities across the country.
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arrests → come → country
Earlier this month, the University of Arizona suspended activities across its Interfraternity Council chapters following allegations involving physical assaults, hazing, drugs and alcohol.
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University → suspend → assaults
West Virginia University also took disciplinary action against a fraternity following allegations of hazing that officials said posed a serious or continuing threat to the campus community.
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officials → take → community
Other institutions have faced controversies involving far more serious allegations.
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institutions → face → allegations
At Cornell University, fraternity members have been accused of gang rape in a lawsuit, while at Penn State, 14 fraternity members were arrested in connection with an alleged cocaine distribution operation.
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members → accuse → operation
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