Secret Service Agent And Others Charged In Alleged College Fraternity Hazing

A U.S. Secret Service supplier is 1 of 3 men successful Miami facing felony charges tied to an alleged fraternity hazing ritual that ended pinch 2 group suffering superior injuries.

Marquez Christopher Pinder, 29, is simply a Secret Service agent successful nan Miami section office. He is described successful an apprehension warrant arsenic nan "dean of pledges" for nan Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity's section successful Miami.

Pinder, Jared Lamar James, 26, and Elijah Delano Dyous, 29, were charged pinch hazing with a deadly weapon, aggravated artillery pinch awesome bodily harm, and attempted manslaughter past week pursuing a constabulary investigation into “alleged hazing incidents involving prolonged and repeated beatings pinch canes and paddles,” according to nan Miami-Dade County authorities attorney's office.

The victims' injuries were truthful terrible that they whitethorn person been fatal if not treated, according to constabulary records. One of nan victims required tegument grafts to his hips and besides sustained kidney harm during nan ritual. Another had to person a conduit placed into his windpipe to thief him breathe.

Pinder has been placed connected administrative time off and is reportedly cooperating pinch investigators, according to WFLA. He has worked arsenic a Secret Service supplier since 2023, according to agency spokesperson Matt Fagiana.

“Any misconduct will beryllium addressed swiftly and appropriately upon completion of nan investigative and judicial process,” Secret Service Special Agent Michael Townsend, who leads nan agency's Miami section office, said successful a statement.

Pinder posted a $75,000 enslaved Monday and was released from jail. His adjacent tribunal day is scheduled for September 24.

“In Florida, hazing is maltreatment and it is simply a crime,” Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade County's authorities attorney, said successful a connection Sunday. “Its victims excessively often dishonesty successful their graves and successful infirmary beds.”

According to nan apprehension warrant, 1 of nan victims told constabulary that he and different man were beaten connected their hips by Pinder and nan different defendants complete 4 nights during a ritual that occurred successful April astatine an off-campus apartment. The paddling was done successful consequence to nan victims failing to supply nan correct answers to questions they were asked astir nan fraternity and its history, according to investigators.

Neither of nan victims was named successful nan report.

The beatings reportedly stopped connected nan 4th nighttime erstwhile 1 of nan men began bleeding done his pants, nan warrant says. Fraternity leaders reportedly ordered some of nan victims to portion down and propulsion their apparel successful garbage bags earlier they near nan flat for nan night.

The Independent has requested remark from Kappa Alpha Psi.

One of nan victims told constabulary he suffered vomiting, fevers, and aggravated symptom earlier he was admitted to a hospital. He required tegument grafts connected his buttocks, and had he not received treatment, “his injuries would person resulted successful renal nonaccomplishment starring to death," constabulary said.

The 2nd unfortunate required intubation during his infirmary enactment to "prevent further beingness deterioration and death,” nan warrant said.

In 2005, Florida lawmakers passed authorities making hazing a felony that carries a maximum five-year situation condemnation if it results successful wounded aliases death.