Four University of Alabama Students Face Hazing Charges Following Disturbing Allegations
Several University of Alabama students have been charged in connection with fraternity hazing incidents after a pledge reported being shoved, stepped on, and subjected to physical mistreatment.
Christopher Theodore Molineaux, 22, Grant Henry Rakers, 21, Joshua Donald Ferrito, 22, and Charles William Grey, 20, each face two counts of hazing related to incidents alleged to have occurred on August 25 and August 28 at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity house.
According to court documents filed Wednesday, footage from the fraternity’s TV room and band room captured the disturbing hazing activities.
Rakers passed comments to his attorney, Ben Preston, who acknowledged that he was still in the process of reviewing the evidence. “Let’s not judge until we see the facts,” Preston stated. The families of Molineaux and Ferrito have opted not to comment on the situation.
Grey’s attorney, Tommy Spina, asserted in a statement that his client “is accused of failing to report” the hazing incidents and emphasized that “he did not touch or harm anyone.”
“I don’t understand why failing to come forward is a ‘crime,'” Spina remarked. “It seems to me that individuals may fear retribution from peers or the group if they report hazing incidents. Making reporting a crime could further dissuade individuals from coming forward,” he continued. “Rather than punishing reporting, there should be incentives and protections for whistleblowers to ensure that those who speak out against hazing feel safe and supported.”
Wesley Hitt / Getty Images file
One pledge has filed charges, alleging that during the August 25 incident, video footage showed several pledges being led into the band room and made to get down on their hands and knees as part of the fraternity’s “Rules Night.”
While in this position, the pledges were reportedly yelled at, stepped on, pushed, had items thrown at them, and beer poured over them.
Footage from the August 28 incident allegedly depicted pledges being forced to line up against a wall to perform calisthenics, including wall sits and push-ups, while being yelled at by fraternity members during the initiation process.
Molineaux, along with another fraternity member, is alleged to have “shoved and struck one of the pledges,” as noted in the filings. The documents indicate, “Molineaux can be seen on the video grabbing [the pledge] by the front of his shirt, shoving him back against a wall, shaking him, and then shoving him down to his (Molineaux’s) right, causing [the pledge] to lose his balance and fall over.”
The documents accuse Rakers, Ferrito, and Grey of being present during both incidents and failing to intervene or report the hazing. Another student, Stefan Maksimovich, 22, is facing charges in connection with the August 28 event; his family has declined to comment.
The University of Alabama has reiterated that hazing is strictly prohibited. An investigation led to the campus police department serving warrants against the implicated fraternity members. “Hazing violates University policy, the Code of Student Conduct, and the law, and it is a matter that the University takes seriously,” the institution stated.
Pi Kappa Phi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.