Hazing reported at SigEp house

A student reported to SMU police last night that he was assaulted and held against his will at an on campus fraternity, according to The Dallas Morning News.

The student reported the incident took place at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house. The incident is described as an aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, personal hazing and unlawful restraint.

Sigma Phi Epsilon was the center of another campus crime last September when sophomore member John David Mahaffey was arrested on charges of sexual assault. He was indicted by a grand jury in November and his trial is currently pending.

Kent Best, SMU Executive Director of News Media and Relations said in a statement:

“SMU takes seriously any allegations of student misconduct. SMU Police are vigorously investigating this case. Pending results of the investigation, SMU has placed the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity chapter on temporary deferred suspension, which prohibits the chapter from hosting any activities, among other sanctions. Because it is an active investigation, no other information is available at this time.”

E-mails to the Sigma Phi Epsilon President Billy Hightower, were not returned right away.

We will keep you updated as we learn more.