Four Texas State fraternity pledges arrested on hazing charges

Four Texas State University fraternity pledges have been arrested and charged with hazing following an incident where witnesses reported seeing a young man with tape over his mouth being forced into a pickup truck. The alarming event prompted multiple 911 calls from bystanders who feared they were witnessing an abduction.

Police tracked the vehicle to an apartment complex and discovered that the individual being forced into the truck was an 18-year-old member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. The four individuals accused of bundling him into the truck were identified as pledges Noah Lara, 20, Wyatt Carr, 18, William Oldner, 19, and Tyler Fogg, 18, all associated with the university's Phi Delta Theta chapter.

The suspects told investigators that the incident was part of a fraternity initiation tradition. The 18-year-old victim was not physically injured, according to court documents. All four pledges face a Class B misdemeanor hazing charge, which carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine if convicted.

Texas State University officials have condemned the incident, stating that hazing is not tolerated on campus or within any affiliated organizations. The university emphasized that voluntary participation in hazing activities violates both state law and university policy.

Phi Delta Theta's national leadership acknowledged the incident and stated they are cooperating with investigators. The organization reiterated its commitment to student safety and stated it does not condone behavior that jeopardizes the well-being of others.

This incident occurs amid a broader increase in scrutiny of fraternity misconduct at universities nationwide, with other institutions also taking disciplinary actions against fraternity chapters due to hazing allegations and other misconduct.