Wheaton College Player Strikes Plea Deal In Hazing Case

WHEATON, IL — Ex-Wheaton College football player Noah Spielman pleaded guilty to battery, one of multiple charges against him in the 2016 hazing of freshman Charles Nagy. The plea deal relieves Spielman, the son of ex-NFL player Chris Spielman, of other charges including unlawful restraint and mob action— in connection with the scandal.

As a result of his guilty plea, Spielman will be on one year of conditional discharge and will have to perform 100 hours of "public service employment," 25 of which must be done with youth groups to address hazing. He must also pay a $250 Anti-Crime contribution.

In court, Spielman's lawyer, Mark Sutter, said that his client only "held open doors" for the other four accused players. He added that Spielman "threw dirt" on top Nagy, according to an NBC 5 report.

In a statement DuPage County State's Attorney General Robert Berlin said of the guilty plea that "Spielman took responsibility for his actions on March 19, 2016 involving an alleged hazing incident at the College.”

Spielman's plea deal comes just over a week after the alleged victim filed a lawsuit against the other accused football players, Benjamin Pettway, James Cooksey, Samuel TeBos, and Kyler Kregel. Spielman was not named in the lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by Charles Nagy, the student who brought the charges against the players, goes into detail about the alleged hazing attack.

The remaining accused players are set to appear in court in early April and early May.

According to the complaint, the players attacked and bound Nagy with duct tape while he was in his dorm room. They then allegedly carried him out of the dorm without being stopped by Wheaton College staff, the lawsuit asserts.

The complaint states that Nagy was then put into the back of a pickup truck, where the accused players allegedly beat and kicked him while making racist comments. They then allegedly threatened him with sexual violation and inserted an object into his anus, the lawsuit alleges.

After the alleged attack, Nagy was reportedly found half-clothed on a nearby baseball field. Prosecutors say he suffered two torn laburnums and required shoulder surgery.

Nagy's lawsuit further alleges that Wheaton College head football coach Mike Swider attempted to cover up the incident.

After the civil suit was filed, Wheaton College officials released a statement "strongly" denying the allegations that officials ignored the alleged hazing —and others— at the school.

The statement went on to say, "Wheaton College is committed to providing Christ-centered education in a positive environment for every student. The Board of Trustees, President Ryken, and the College administration, faculty, and staff remain committed to this goal.'

• Wheaton College Hazing: All Suspects Surrendered, Released on Bond
• Players Accused In Wheaton College Hazing Case Plead Not Guilty
• Accused Wheaton College Players Can Leave State
• Judge Removes Gag Order On Wheaton College Hazing Case
• Wheaton College Hazing Defense Attorneys Request Medical Record

>>>Image via DuPage County Sheriff's Office