Two leaders of an unrecognized University of Wisconsin–Madison fraternity were arrested after police responding to an anonymous tip discovered around 30 partially clothed pledges gathered inside an overheated basement, authorities said.
Brayden J. Klein and Samuel N. Vane, both 20 and identified respectively as the fraternity’s president and vice president, were arrested Wednesday on misdemeanor hazing and misdemeanor disorderly conduct allegations.
The arrests followed a police response to the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house in Madison at approximately 8:20 p.m.
Anonymous tip leads police to basement
Cops found 30 partially dressed fraternity pledges huddled in a filthy basement, covered in food and other liquids, and some showing signs of having been physically assaulted, police said.Madison Police Department
According to police, officers entered the property and encountered a scene that immediately raised concerns about suspected hazing.
Around 30 young men were gathered in the basement, many of them partially dressed and covered with food, condiments and other liquids.
Authorities said some also had visible injuries that appeared consistent with physical assault.
Conditions inside the basement added to officers’ concerns. Police reported that the thermostat had been set to 81 degrees, leaving the room unusually hot and muggy.
Officers subsequently escorted everyone from the residence.
The pledges, the vast majority of whom police said were 18 years old, were then evaluated for injuries and signs of incapacitation.
Two fraternity leaders arrested
Two men were arrested following the suspected hazing incident at an unrecognized University of Wisconsin-Madison fraternity.WKOW
Following the investigation at the house, Klein and Vane were taken into custody.
Both men face misdemeanor allegations of hazing and disorderly conduct.
The case centers on activities at Alpha Epsilon Pi, an organization that police described as neither recognized nor accredited by the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
The university terminated its recognition of the chapter more than a decade ago.
However, the school explained that Alpha Epsilon Pi remains recognized by its national fraternity organization. As a result, the chapter can legally continue operating independently without an official affiliation with UW–Madison.
University responds to suspected hazing
Two men were arrested after a suspected hazing incident at an unrecognized fraternity in Madison, Wisconsin.WKOW
In a statement issued Thursday, UW–Madison said it remains committed to preventing hazing and takes allegations involving members of its community seriously.
The university also warned that students found responsible for violating the law, university rules or applicable regulations could face disciplinary action.
Possible consequences can range from a written reprimand and disciplinary probation to suspension, termination or educational sanctions, according to the university.
The statement underscores the unusual status of the fraternity involved in the case: although the chapter is not officially recognized by UW–Madison, students connected to the organization may still be subject to university disciplinary procedures depending on their individual conduct.
Investigation follows troubling discovery
The anonymous report that brought officers to the house ultimately exposed a gathering involving dozens of young pledges and resulted in the arrests of two fraternity leaders.
Authorities have described the injuries and conditions officers observed, but the arrests represent allegations, and the two men have not been convicted of the misdemeanor charges.
The case now places renewed attention on an organization that has continued operating despite losing its official university recognition more than a decade ago — and on what police say they encountered after receiving a single anonymous tip.