UConn Suspends Fraternity Amid Hazing Allegations

STORRS, CT — A University of Connecticut fraternity has been suspended amid allegations that its former president engaged in a violent hazing ritual. Meanwhile, the man has been arrested by UConn police in a separate incident.

David Vallejo, 23, who is listed as being from Willington in a state police-related warrant and a UConn police arrest report but later mentioned by state police as a New Haven resident, surrendered to campus police Tuesday. Vallejo is accused of holding his forearm across the neck of a person who owed him money, and cutting off the person's ability to breathe, according to a UConn arrest report.

Vallejo was charged with single counts of third-degree strangulation, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct for the UConn incident on March 21, according to a UConn police arrest report. Vallejo was released on a $5,000 non-surety bond and given a court date of

Vallejo has been identified by law enforcement officials as the former president of the Lambda Theta Phi fraternity.

A warrant out of Rockville Superior Court was served last Friday evening to Vallejo, state police said. According to that warrant, he has been charged with disorderly conduct, third-degree assault, third-degree strangulation and second-degree unlawful restraint. He posted a $30,000 bond and is expected in court on May 21 for those charges, records show.

According to the state police-related warrant, an 18-year-old who identified himself as a University of Connecticut student filed a complaint at the state police Troop C barracks about incidents that took place on Feb. 8 and 9.

The student told investigators that, as part of the initiation process for the "Lambda Theta Phi" fraternity, he was "physically assaulted," according to a warrant. A similar forearm incident, plus a frat pledge being tossed across a room are among the allegations outlined in a warrant.

On Thursday, UConn officials notified Lambda Theta Phi that its campus chapter has been suspended and must cease operations while the allegations of hazing are investigated.

Lambda Theta Phi has operated a campus chapter at UConn since 1991. Its suspension is effective immediately while the investigation takes place, officials said.

The University is prohibited by federal student privacy laws from disclosing whether individual students may also face conduct-related disciplinary reviews.

"The University takes a zero-tolerance approach to behaviors that endanger others, and is committed to providing safe, healthy, and respectful environments in all UConn organizations and on UConn’s campuses," school officials said.

The hazing is claimed to have taken place at a residence in Willington, state police said.

Vallejo's term as president of Lambda Theta Phi, expired in December, UConn officials said.

"The current student president is a different individual who is unconnected to the allegations against David Vallejo," UConn officials said.

See the original arrest story here.