A name has been released in the investigation into the University of Iowa fraternity chapter Alpha Delta Phi for potential hazing. Joseph Gaya, 21, was arrested on Nov. 15 after police discovered several dozen Alpha Delta Phi pledges in the fraternity’s basement.
According to the criminal complaint, police discovered 56 blindfolded fraternity pledges with food thrown on them. Gaya allegedly stood in front of officers, blocking the doorway leading to the room full of pledges, and refused to move despite multiple requests from law enforcement.
Police had responded to the fraternity house the morning of Nov. 15 in response to a fire alarm. The UI Police Department, Iowa City police, and the Iowa City Fire Department all responded to the scene, according to a statement released on Nov. 15 by the UI.
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After the pledges were discovered, the criminal complaint states Gaya inserted himself between officers and two witnesses police were interviewing. Gaya again refused to move and allegedly told the witnesses not to talk to the police.
Gaya does not live at the Alpha Delta Phi house, according to the criminal complaint. Gaya also is not a UI student, according to the UI statement.
Interference with official acts is a simple misdemeanor under Iowa law. If convicted, Gaya could face a fine of no less than $250 and a judge may order imprisonment not exceeding 30 days.
The UI Office of Student Accountability is actively investigating the incident and has ordered the fraternity to cease all operations pending the investigation, according to the release by the UI. The national Alpha Delta Phi chapter has also suspended the fraternity.
The national chapter, based in Minneapolis, wrote in an email statement to The Daily Iowan that the entity was cooperating with all university and law enforcement investigations.
“The Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity is deeply disturbed by the recent hazing allegations involving our chapter at the University of Iowa. As a fraternity, we stand firmly against all forms of hazing,” the statement read. “The fraternity and the chapter are fully cooperating with the local authorities.”
Alpha Delta Phi is the first fraternity suspended since Sigma Chi in 2022. The UI has reached out to impacted students to provide resources, according to the press release.
Jacob Calvin contributed to this report