Ex-Fraternity President Charged In Willington Hazing Incident: Warrant

WILLINGTON, CT — A "hazing" incident connected to what state police are describing as a college fraternity ritual has left a 23-year-old from Willington with four criminal charges, according to an arrest warrant.

A warrant out of Rockville Superior Court was served Friday evening to David Vallejo, state police said. According to a 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, records show.

According to a 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.

According to the online UConn fraternity directory, "Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc., LAMBDA Chapter, was founded on February 24, 1991 at the University of Connecticut by seven forward thinking Latinos determined to make a difference on their campus and in their communities by speaking out as group when the cries of the individual fell on deaf ears."

A warrant identifies Vallejo as "the pledge master and president of the fraternity." He was president at the time of the accusations, but his term expired in December, UConn officials said. The current student president is a different individual who is unconnected to the allegations against Vallejo, school officials said.

The student told investigators that pledges were required to do push ups, but the required total was re-set each time one would collapse from fatigue, according to a warrant. The student told investigators that, after collapsing, he was pulled up by his "uniform" shirt, thrown against a wall and then choked with a pledge master's forearm, according to a warrant. The student said he "started crying" over the incident, according to a warrant.

He was thrown across a room on a second night, according tp testimony outlined in a warrant.

It all took place at a residence in Willington, state police said.

A UConn spokesman politely declined comment, citing state police jurisdiction in the matter. UConn, per policy, does not comment on any potential school discipline.