Brian Halpin, Mussey Tella, and Jacob Parker from the unrecognized fraternity “The Delts” at the College at Brockport were in court today after originally pleading not guilty to hazing and other related charges at the College at Brockport.
Brian Halpin plead guilty to hazing in the 2nd degree and potentially faces 60 hours of community service and special programs to work through the hazing incidents.
Jacob Parker plead guilty to hazing in the 2nd degree and potentially faces 80 hours of community service and special programs to work through the hazing incidents.
Mussey Tella was adjourned and did not appear in court today due to extenuating circumstances and will appear in court at a later date.
Monroe County Prosecutor Derek Harnsberger explained to The Point news team that each individual defendant will be offered to plead guilty to hazing, and their sentences depend on if they take the offer, and on their individual charges. The most severe charges surround Leo Chai, that involve even animal cruelty in addition to the baseline charges of hazing.
This past December, a total of nine young men were arrested after a large overnight police raid in the quiet town of Brockport, N.Y. Now dubbed “The Delts 9,” these individuals are members of an illegal fraternity that was operating across the street from the College at Brockport University Police Department.
Six were current students, three were former students and all were members of the Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi national fraternity. The group has been operating illegally for 16 years since being closed by the College in 2001. The college released a statement on November 30, 2017 stating the following:
“The Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi National Fraternity was revoked by the National Fraternity’s Grand Council and closed by The College at Brockport in 2001. Since then the College has done everything in its authority to prohibit the continued, unrecognized activity of this collection of individuals. We regularly educate and warn students and their parents of the dangers associated with such unrecognized groups and will continue to do so. We have zero tolerance for this group’s behavior.”
Later on in early December Brockport Village Police released a statement in conjunction with The College University Police detailing the charges of each “Delt” arrested. They also announced details about the situation- tales of animal abuse and the killing of rats in front of pledges. The remaining six “Delts” will be on trial later in February, March and April.
Their charges are as follows:
Jacob William Parker: Fri. Feb 9 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-hazing first degree; criminal nuisance second degree; unlawfully dealing with a child first degree (alcohol)
Mussey Tesfai Tella: Fri. Feb 9 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-hazing first degree (2) counts; criminal nuisance second degree (2) counts; assault third degree-intent to cause physical injury
Brian Christopher Halpin: Fri. Feb 9 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-hazing first degree; criminal nuisance second degree
Andrew William Peterson: Fri. Feb 23 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-hazing first degree (2) counts; criminal nuisance second degree (2) counts; assault third degree-intent to cause physical injury; unlawfully dealing with a child first degree (alcohol)
Nickolas Antonio Buffa: Fri. Feb 23 at 1 p.m.
Agriculture and markets law-torture/injure/not feed animal; penal law-hazing first degree
Jacob Benjamen Manolt: Fri. Feb 23 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-hazing first degree; criminal nuisance second degree
Tyler Francis Ryan: Mon. Feb 26 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-hazing first degree; criminal nuisance second degree
Connor Brett Reed: Fri. March 23 at 1 p.m.
Penal law-criminal possession of a controlled substance seventh degree; hazing first degree; criminal nuisance second degree
Leo Woon Keul Chai: Fri. April 13 at 1 p.m.
Agriculture and Markets Law-Torture/Injure/Not feed animal; Penal law-hazing first degree; criminal nuisance second degree; assault third degree-intent to cause physical injury