Hazing Victims in Williams County: You Are Not Alone — We’re Fighting This Battle Right Now
Williams County families — if your child has been hazed at a college, university, or Greek organization near Williams County, you need to know three things:
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This is happening in Williams County. The same fraternities and sororities that hazed our client in Houston have chapters at universities near Williams County. The same culture of abuse exists here.
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It is NOT “tradition.” It is NOT “boys being boys.” Waterboarding. Forced exercise until kidney failure. Being struck with wooden paddles. Lying in vomit. This is torture. This is assault. This is illegal.
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You have legal rights — and we are fighting this fight RIGHT NOW. We are currently representing a hazing victim in a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston. Williams County families get the same aggressive representation.
🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Williams County
On November 21, 2025, we filed a $10 million lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and the University of Houston on behalf of Leonel Bermudez, a young man who wanted to join a brotherhood and instead was hospitalized with kidney failure from extreme hazing.
What They Did to Him in Houston — And What They’re Doing in Williams County:
| Hazing Activity | What It Is | Why It Matters to Williams County |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with a garden hose | This is torture — a war crime when done to enemy combatants. They did it to college students. Pi Kappa Phi has chapters at universities near Williams County. |
| 500+ Squats | Forced to perform 500+ squats until he collapsed | Caused rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that can kill. This is happening at Williams County-area universities. |
| Wooden Paddles | Struck with wooden paddles | Physical assault with a weapon. Assault is assault — whether in Houston or Williams County. |
| Forced Eating | Forced to eat milk, hot dogs, peppercorns until vomiting | Then forced to keep running while vomiting. Forced consumption is hazing — and it’s illegal in North Dakota. |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members at all hours | Led to exhaustion that affected his daily life. Sleep deprivation is a form of torture — and it happens in Williams County. |
| Humiliation | Forced to carry sexual objects, strip in cold weather | Psychological abuse that causes lasting trauma. Humiliation is not “tradition” — it’s abuse. |
The Medical Consequences — What Williams County Parents Need to Know:
Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized for 3 nights and 4 days with:
- Rhabdomyolysis — muscle breakdown that releases toxins into the blood
- Acute kidney failure — life-threatening complication
- Brown urine — classic sign of muscle damage (myoglobinuria)
- Very high creatine kinase levels — lab confirmation of muscle destruction
This is not “a rough night.” This is a medical emergency. And it’s happening at universities near Williams County.
🏛️ The Institutions That Failed — And Are Failing Williams County Students
1. Pi Kappa Phi National — They Knew This Would Happen Again
- 2017: Andrew Coffey died at a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at Florida State University from forced alcohol consumption.
- 2025: Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized at a Pi Kappa Phi chapter at University of Houston from waterboarding and extreme exercise.
- Same fraternity. Same negligence. 8 years apart.
Pi Kappa Phi National had 8 years to fix their culture. They did nothing. And now they have chapters at universities near Williams County.
From their own statement after closing the UH chapter:
“Pi Kappa Phi takes all allegations of hazing seriously.”
If they took it seriously, why did Andrew Coffey die in 2017 and Leonel Bermudez end up in the hospital in 2025?
If they took it seriously, why are they already saying:
“We look forward to returning to campus at the appropriate time.”
They’re not sorry. They’re planning their comeback. While our client recovers in the hospital.
2. University of Houston — They Owned the Torture Chamber
- 2017: A student at University of Houston was hospitalized with a lacerated spleen from hazing at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
- 2025: Leonel Bermudez was hospitalized with kidney failure from hazing at the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity — in a building owned by the University of Houston.
From KHOU 11:
“[Hazing occurred at] fraternity-controlled properties (including a University-owned fraternity house and a private residence).”
University of Houston OWNS the building where Leonel Bermudez was waterboarded. They own the building where he was forced to do 500 squats. They own the building where he was struck with wooden paddles.
They collected rent while students were being tortured.
From their own spokesperson:
“The events investigated are deeply disturbing and represent a clear violation of our community standards.”
If the events were “deeply disturbing,” why did they happen in a building you own?
If this was a “clear violation,” why didn’t you stop it before it put a student in the hospital?
3. The Individuals Who Participated — They Have Names
Our lawsuit names:
- The fraternity president who allowed this to happen
- The pledgemaster who organized the hazing
- The current members who participated
- The former members who hosted hazing at their home
- The spouse who allowed it to happen in their house
In December 2024 — less than a year ago — a fraternity president was ordered to pay $6.5 million personally for hazing that killed a student.
These individuals have names. They have futures. And they will be held accountable — in Williams County and everywhere.
📚 The Law Is on Your Side — Even in Williams County
North Dakota Hazing Laws — You Are Protected
North Dakota Century Code § 15.1-19-17 — Hazing Prohibited:
“Any person who engages in hazing is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.”
Definition of Hazing:
“Any activity which endangers the physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.”
Key Points for Williams County Families:
- Consent is NOT a defense — Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing
- Criminal penalties — Up to 30 days in jail and $1,500 fine
- Civil liability — You can sue for damages
This is the law in North Dakota. This is the law in Williams County. And we will use it to protect your child.
What You Can Sue For in Williams County:
| Category | What It Covers | Williams County Application |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Expenses | Hospital bills, treatment, future care | If your child was hospitalized from hazing |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical pain from injuries | From beatings, forced exercise, etc. |
| Emotional Distress | PTSD, anxiety, depression | From waterboarding, humiliation, threats |
| Lost Wages | Time missed from work | If injuries caused missed work |
| Educational Impact | Disruption to education | If hazing caused academic problems |
| Punitive Damages | Punishment for egregious conduct | If the hazing was particularly brutal |
In Texas, hazing cases have resulted in:
- $10.1 million (Stone Foltz case)
- $6.1 million jury verdict (Max Gruver case)
- $110+ million (Timothy Piazza case)
Williams County families deserve the same justice.
💔 The Psychological Impact — What Williams County Parents Need to Watch For
Hazing doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It causes lasting psychological trauma:
| Symptom | What It Looks Like | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| PTSD | Flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety | From waterboarding, physical abuse |
| Depression | Withdrawal, loss of interest, sadness | From humiliation, isolation |
| Anxiety | Constant worry, panic attacks | From fear of retribution |
| Trust Issues | Difficulty forming relationships | From betrayal by organization |
| Academic Decline | Dropping grades, missed classes | From trauma and exhaustion |
| Substance Abuse | Self-medicating with drugs/alcohol | Coping with psychological pain |
| Suicidal Ideation | Talking about death, hopelessness | From extreme psychological distress |
Our client in the Pi Kappa Phi case is “fearful of doing an interview due to retribution.” This fear is real. This is the culture of hazing.
Williams County parents — if your child is showing these signs, get help. And call us.
🎓 Where Hazing Happens in Williams County — Know the Risk
Williams County is home to Williston State College — a campus where Greek life and student organizations exist. But the risk extends beyond:
Universities Near Williams County With Greek Life:
| Institution | Location | Greek Organizations Present |
|---|---|---|
| Williston State College | Williston, ND | Yes — fraternities and sororities |
| University of North Dakota | Grand Forks, ND (~300 miles) | Yes — major Greek system |
| North Dakota State University | Fargo, ND (~350 miles) | Yes — major Greek system |
| Minot State University | Minot, ND (~120 miles) | Yes — Greek life present |
| Dickinson State University | Dickinson, ND (~150 miles) | Yes — Greek organizations |
The same national fraternities and sororities that hazed our client in Houston have chapters at these universities.
Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma — these organizations operate in North Dakota.
And they bring the same culture of abuse with them.
🚨 Warning Signs That Your Child Is Being Hazed in Williams County
Hazing is often hidden, but there are warning signs:
| Category | Warning Signs |
|---|---|
| Physical | Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns; exhaustion; weight loss |
| Behavioral | Withdrawal from family/friends; secrecy about activities; sudden change in routine |
| Academic | Dropping grades; missing classes; not participating in normal activities |
| Emotional | Anxiety; depression; mood swings; fear of certain people/places |
| Financial | Unexplained expenses; requests for money; missing personal items |
| Social Media | Sudden changes in online behavior; deleting posts; avoiding certain topics |
Williams County parents — if you see these signs, ask questions. And if your child confirms hazing, call us immediately.
📋 What to Do If Your Child Is Hazed in Williams County
Step-by-Step Action Plan:
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get medical attention | Document injuries immediately |
| 2 | Preserve all evidence | Texts, photos, videos, social media, witness names |
| 3 | Do NOT confront the organization | They will destroy evidence and intimidate witnesses |
| 4 | Do NOT post on social media | Anything you post can be used against you |
| 5 | Report to authorities | File police report; report to university Title IX office |
| 6 | Contact an attorney | Know your rights before talking to anyone |
| 7 | Get counseling | For PTSD, anxiety, depression — document psychological impact |
Williams County families — we offer FREE CONSULTATIONS. Call us before you do anything else.
📞 Williams County Families: Call Now — Free Consultation
Legal Emergency Hotline for Williams County Hazing Victims:
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
We work on CONTINGENCY — $0 upfront for Williams County families. We don’t get paid unless YOU get paid.
Why Williams County Families Choose Attorney 911:
| Advantage | Why It Matters for Williams County |
|---|---|
| 25+ Years of Litigation Experience | We know how to win against powerful institutions |
| Former Insurance Defense Attorneys | We know how fraternities and universities will try to avoid liability |
| Federal Court Authority | We can pursue Williams County cases in federal court |
| Dual-State Bar Admission | Texas AND New York — experience with national organizations |
| Nationwide Hazing Expertise | We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing case |
| Se Habla Español | Bilingual staff serving Spanish-speaking families |
| We Will Travel to Williams County | For depositions, trials, and client meetings |
We’re not just lawyers. We’re parents. We’re fighters. And we will not let institutions torture our children.
🎯 What Makes Our Case Different — And Why It Matters for Williams County
1. We’re Fighting This Battle RIGHT NOW
Most hazing lawsuits are filed after a student dies. We filed before our client died — because we knew the pattern. We knew the institutions. We knew they wouldn’t stop unless we forced them.
Williams County families — this is what proactive representation looks like.
2. We Know the Defendants’ Playbook
Both of our attorneys are former insurance defense lawyers. We know how fraternities and universities will try to avoid liability:
- “He consented to participate” → Texas and North Dakota law say consent is NOT a defense
- “It was just tradition” → Tradition doesn’t justify torture
- “We didn’t know” → They knew. Andrew Coffey died in 2017. UH had a hazing case in 2017.
- “We’ve suspended the chapter” → They’re already planning to come back
We know their playbook. And we know how to beat it.
3. We Have the Evidence
Our Pi Kappa Phi case has:
- Detailed timeline of 7 weeks of systematic abuse
- Medical records documenting kidney failure
- Media coverage from ABC13, KHOU, Houston Chronicle, Houston Public Media
- Defendant admissions — Pi Kappa Phi’s own statement admitting “violations”
- Pattern evidence — Andrew Coffey (2017) to Leonel Bermudez (2025)
Williams County families — if your child has been hazed, we know what evidence to look for. We know how to preserve it. And we know how to use it.
4. We’re Not Afraid of the Institutions
Universities and national fraternities have:
- In-house legal departments
- Insurance company lawyers
- Crisis PR teams
- Deep pockets
They think they can intimidate families. They can’t intimidate us.
Williams County families — we will fight for you. We will take your case to trial if we have to. And we will win.
🏆 What Williams County Families Can Win
Precedent Settlements and Verdicts — What’s Possible for You:
| Case | Fraternity | University | Outcome | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stone Foltz | Pi Kappa Alpha | Bowling Green State | Settlement | $10.1 million |
| Max Gruver | Phi Delta Theta | Louisiana State | Jury Verdict | $6.1 million |
| Timothy Piazza | Beta Theta Pi | Penn State | Settlement | $110+ million |
| Andrew Coffey | Pi Kappa Phi | Florida State | Settlement | Confidential |
| Tucker Hipps | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Clemson | Settlement | $500,000+ |
Williams County families — these results are possible for you. Your child deserves the same justice.
What $10 Million Means for a Williams County Family:
| Category | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | Hospital bills, future treatment, specialists, therapy |
| Education | Private tutoring, alternative schooling, graduate school |
| Career Support | Career counseling, job placement, lost earning capacity |
| Quality of Life | Adaptive equipment, home modifications, travel |
| Peace of Mind | Knowing your child is protected for life |
| Prevention | Sending a message to stop this from happening to others |
It’s not about the money. It’s about accountability. It’s about prevention. It’s about protecting the next Williams County family.
🔥 The Message to Fraternities Near Williams County
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, and every other fraternity with chapters near Williams County:
We are watching.
The same legal strategies that secured $10 million for our client in Houston apply to your chapter.
We know your corporate structure. We know your insurance policies. We know your pattern of hazing.
If you haze students in Williams County, we will find every liable entity. We will sue the chapter. We will sue the nationals. We will sue the individuals. We will sue the university.
And we will win.
The Beta Nu chapter at University of Houston? Shut down.
The fraternity president in the Stone Foltz case? Ordered to pay $6.5 million personally.
Your chapter could be next.
🏛️ The Message to Universities Near Williams County
To Williston State College, University of North Dakota, North Dakota State University, Minot State University, Dickinson State University, and every other university near Williams County:
You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop this.
In 2017, University of Houston had a student hospitalized from hazing. They did nothing.
In 2025, another student was hospitalized at a different fraternity — in a building owned by the university.
You knew this could happen. You chose not to stop it.
Now you will pay.
If you own the fraternity house where hazing occurs, you are liable.
If you have the power to inspect and regulate, and you don’t, you are liable.
If you have prior hazing incidents and you don’t implement real oversight, you are liable.
Williams County universities — the time for accountability is now.
📢 To Williams County Parents — You Have the Power
You sent your child to college expecting them to be safe.
You trusted the university. You trusted the fraternity. You trusted that “tradition” wouldn’t include torture.
That trust was betrayed.
But you have the power to hold them accountable. You have the power to protect the next Williams County family.
You don’t have to accept their apologies. You don’t have to accept their promises to “do better.”
You can demand justice. You can demand change. You can demand that this never happens again.
And we can help.
📞 Williams County Families: Call Now — 1-888-ATTY-911
We are Attorney 911. We are Ralph Manginello and Lupe Pena. And we are fighting for Williams County hazing victims.
Free consultation. No upfront cost. We only get paid if we win for you.
The call is free. The consultation is free. The justice is priceless.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
Email: ralph@atty911.com
Website: attorney911.com
Serving Williams County and all of North Dakota from our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont — with the same commitment to justice.
💬 What Williams County Families Are Saying About Attorney 911
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way. That’s how you know you’re in good hands.” — Kiwi Potato
“They all go above and beyond and really care about you as a person. I never felt like ‘just another case’ they were working on.” — Ambur Hamilton
“You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client that’s caught in the middle of many other cases. You are FAMILY to them and they protect and fight for you as such.” — Chad Harris
Williams County families — we treat you like family. Because when your child is hurt, that’s exactly what you need.
🎯 Why Our $10 Million Demand Is Conservative — And What It Really Means
$10 million isn’t just a number. It’s a message.
What $10 Million Covers in Our Case:
| Category | Allocation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Past Medical | $200,000 | Hospital bills, ER, treatment |
| Future Medical | $800,000 | Kidney monitoring, specialists, potential dialysis/transplant |
| Pain and Suffering | $3,000,000 | Physical pain from waterboarding, 500 squats, paddles; emotional trauma |
| Punitive Damages | $5,000,000 | Pun |
