On Nov. 2, 15 students and two nonstudents were arrested in regards to hazing allegations against the Rho Kappa chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity. In early September, allegations of hazing came forward. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life forwarded the allegations to the Longwood University Police Department, who in turn opened an investigation.
The police department gathered enough cause to obtain a search warrant. The search warrant was issued due to: Hazing in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-56 and possession of marijuana in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-250.1. The warrant was issued to search the entire place of residence on Virginia Street.
The items found within the house included: a wooden paddle, a white box with marijuana seeds and numerous pipes, a torch and branding iron, a crock pot, a gravity bora smoking device, a glass bong, a red rubber made sandwich container with oil substance, a grinder, a green plant material from ashtray, a glass jar with green plant material, a bag of pipes and drug paraphernalia , brownies from a freezer, two hand rolled cigarettes partially smoked and a black and silver smoking device.
The search started approximately 7:30 a.m.. police rounded up individuals at their place of residence and transported them to the Town of Farmville Police Department. The individuals were interviewed,and processed on an arrest warrant. They were taken over to the Magistrate's office in Prince Edward County Courthouse. All of the individuals were placed on an $1,000 uninsured bond, which means they were free to go as long as they promised to show up for their court date.
"I have been working Fraternity and Sorority Life, meeting with the Greek chapters and their leadership, talking to them and telling them well their need to abide by the rules and the laws," explained Longwood Chief of Police Bob Beach. "If you involve yourself in hazing and we find out about it, we are going to press to find out who is responsible and we are going to … bring the consequences for their actions," added Beach.
Beach said the case is being forward to Honor and Judicial Programs. Members of Tau Kappa Epsilon were reached for comment, but at the time this article was published, no response had been given.
