Hazing on Texas Campuses: A Comprehensive Legal Guide for Ackerly & Martin County Families

If you are a parent in Ackerly, Texas, watching your child leave for college is filled with pride and hope. You imagine them gaining an education, building lifelong friendships, and finding their path. The last thing you picture is a phone call in the middle of the night, a frantic voice telling you your child is in the hospital because of what a fraternity, sorority, or campus group made them do. This nightmare is not hypothetical. Right now, in our own state, we are fighting one of the most serious hazing cases to emerge from a Texas campus. The reality of modern hazing is brutal, systemic, and can happen to any student—including those from right here in Martin County.

This guide is written specifically for Ackerly families and all Texas parents. We will explain what hazing truly looks like in 2025, break down the Texas laws designed to protect your child, and detail the legal pathways to hold powerful institutions accountable. Our firm, Attorney911, is currently leading a landmark $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston and the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on behalf of a severely injured pledge. We use this real-time case, along with our proprietary Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, to show you how justice is pursued and why experienced legal counsel is critical from the moment you suspect something is wrong.

If your child has been hurt, or if you fear they are being subjected to abuse under the guise of “tradition” or “team building,” you are not alone. Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We provide immediate, confidential help.

Hazing in 2025: It’s Not Just Pranks—It’s Abuse

For families in Ackerly, where community and trust are paramount, the concept of organized abuse can feel distant. Today’s hazing is not about harmless initiation antics; it is a calculated pattern of coercion, humiliation, and physical endangerment designed to assert control. It evolves to avoid detection, making it crucial for parents to recognize the signs.

Modern Hazing Often Includes:

• Physical Torture Disguised as “Workouts”: Forced, extreme calisthenics like hundreds of push-ups or squats until collapse—exactly what led to rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure in the recent University of Houston Pi Kappa Phi case. This includes bear crawls, wheelbarrow races, and exposure to harsh elements.
• Coerced Consumption & “Games”: Being forced to eat unpalatable food combinations (milk, hot dogs, peppercorns) until vomiting, or participating in drinking “games” where wrong answers mean chugging alcohol. This is a direct precursor to life-threatening alcohol poisoning.
• Psychological Torment & Humiliation: Mandatory “pledge fanny packs” containing condoms and sex toys, enforced dress codes, hours-long interrogation-style interviews, and sleep deprivation through all-night “study” blocks or overnight driving duties for members.
• Digital Control & Surveillance: 24/7 monitoring via group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp), demands for instant responses at all hours, forced location sharing, and social media policing. Evidence is often deleted, but we know how to recover it.
• Violent Rituals & Simulated Torture: Acts like being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding,” threats of actual waterboarding, or being hog-tied face-down for extended periods—all documented in current Texas litigation.

The common thread is an extreme power imbalance. The activities are not optional; they are mandatory for acceptance, shrouded in secrecy, and defended as “tradition.” For a student from a close-knit town like Ackerly, the pressure to comply and belong can feel overwhelming, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

Texas Hazing Law: What Ackerly Families Must Know

Texas has clear laws against hazing, but universities and national organizations often bank on families not understanding them. Knowledge is your first line of defense.

Texas Education Code, Chapter 37 (Hazing):
The law defines hazing broadly as any intentional, knowing, or reckless act on or off campus that endangers the mental or physical health of a student for the purpose of initiation, affiliation, or membership. Key provisions include:

• Criminal Penalties: Hazing is a Class B misdemeanor. It becomes a state jail felony if it causes serious bodily injury or death. Individuals can also be charged for failing to report hazing or retaliating against someone who does.
• Organizational Liability: The fraternity, sorority, or club itself can be prosecuted and fined up to $10,000 per violation.
• Consent is NOT a Defense: Texas law (§37.155) is explicit: a victim’s “consent” to the hazing activity is not a defense. Courts recognize that consent under coercion and peer pressure is not valid.
• Immunity for Good-Faith Reporting: A person who in good faith reports hazing to authorities or calls for medical help is immune from civil or criminal liability related to that report. This is critical—it protects those who do the right thing.

Civil Liability & Lawsuits:
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish wrongdoing. A civil lawsuit, which our firm handles, is brought by the victim and family to secure compensation for injuries and hold all responsible parties accountable. In a civil case, we can sue:

1. The individuals who carried out the acts.
2. The local chapter as an organization.
3. The national fraternity/sorority headquarters (which often have deep insurance pockets and prior knowledge of risky traditions).
4. The university for negligent supervision if they knew or should have known about the danger.
5. Housing corporations, alumni advisors, and property owners.

The Flagship Case: Leonel Bermudez v. University of Houston & Pi Kappa Phi

Right now, we are actively litigating a case that exemplifies the severe, systemic nature of hazing in Texas. This is not a historical example; it is our current fight, and it shows the exact strategies we use for Ackerly families.

In fall 2025, Leonel Bermudez, a student at the University of Houston, pledged the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity (Beta Nu chapter). What followed was a campaign of abuse documented in a $10 million lawsuit. The hazing included:

• The degrading “pledge fanny pack” rule.
• Forced, extreme physical workouts at locations including the chapter house and Yellowstone Boulevard Park.
• Being sprayed in the face with a hose “similar to waterboarding.”
• A “Nov 3 workout” where he was forced to do 100+ push-ups and 500 squats under threat of expulsion.

The result was rhabdomyolysis (severe muscle breakdown) and acute kidney failure. His urine turned brown, he could not stand, and he was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels, facing a risk of permanent kidney damage.

We sued everyone responsible: 13 individual fraternity leaders, the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter, the Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters, the chapter’s housing corporation, the University of Houston, and the UH System Board of Regents. Following media exposure from outlets like Click2Houston and ABC13, the chapter was suspended and its members voted to surrender their charter. UH called the conduct “deeply disturbing.”

Why This Matters for Ackerly: This case proves that catastrophic hazing is happening at Texas universities right now. The same national fraternity (Pi Kappa Phi) named in this lawsuit has chapters across the state. The same institutional playbook of denial and delay is used everywhere. Our experience in this complex, high-stakes litigation is the experience we bring to every case.

The Texas Greek Ecosystem: A Data-Driven Look for Ackerly Parents

Parents in Ackerly and Martin County often send their children to universities across Texas. Using our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine, built from IRS public filings, university rosters, and organizational data, we maintain an unmatched directory of the Greek organizations operating across the state. This isn’t abstract—it’s actionable intelligence for building a case.

Where Ackerly Families Send Their Kids:
Students from Ackerly commonly attend schools both within the region and at major hubs across Texas. Key campuses include:

• Texas Tech University (Lubbock) – A major destination for West Texas students.
• University of Texas Permian Basin (Odessa) – A regional university close to home.
• Texas A&M University (College Station) & University of Texas at Austin – Flagship schools attracting students from every Texas county.
• Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls) & West Texas A&M University (Canyon) – Other regional options.

The Organizations Behind the Letters:
Greek life is not just a local club. Each chapter is typically connected to a national organization, a housing corporation, and alumni networks—all of which can share liability. For example, our data tracks entities like:

• Kappa Sigma – Mu Camma Chapter Inc (EIN: 133048786) – 3007 Earl Rudder Fwy S, College Station, TX 77845 (IRS B83 filing)
• Frank Heflin Foundation (EIN: 203507402) – 9000 W Country Club Rd, Canyon, TX 79015 (Phi Delta Theta alumni fund, IRS B83 filing)
• Pi Kappa Phi Delta Omega Chapter Building Corporation (EIN: 371768785) – 4102 Eastshore St, Missouri City, TX 77459 (IRS B83 filing)
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority – Mu Epsilon Chapter – Beaumont, TX (Undergrad chapter at Lamar Univ., Cause IQ listing)
• Beta Nu Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity Housing Corporation Inc (EIN: 462267515) – 10601 Big Horn Trl, Frisco, TX 75035 (IRS B83 filing)

This is a tiny sample from a database of over 1,423 Greek-related entities across 25 Texas metros. When hazing occurs, we use this map to identify every potentially liable organization—the local chapter, its national HQ, its housing corporation, and its insurance carriers. We don’t start from scratch; we start with intelligence.

National Patterns & Texas Realities: Why History Repeats

The hazing that injured Leonel Bermudez at UH is not an isolated incident. It is part of a national pattern within specific organizations that have repeatedly failed to curb deadly traditions.

• Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike): Settled for $10 million after the alcohol-poisoning death of pledge Stone Foltz at Bowling Green State University (2021).
• Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE): Faced lawsuits at Texas A&M where pledges suffered severe chemical burns from being doused with cleaner, and at UT Austin where a student was seriously assaulted.
• Phi Delta Theta: The Max Gruver Act in Louisiana (felony hazing) was passed after a pledge died during a “Bible study” drinking game at LSU.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI): Faced multi-million-dollar settlements after pledge Danny Santulli suffered permanent brain damage from forced drinking at the University of Missouri.

These national organizations operate chapters at UH, Texas A&M, UT, Tech, and Baylor. When a chapter hazes, it is often following a known, dangerous script. In court, this “pattern and practice” evidence is powerful to show the national organization knew the risks and failed to act. For Ackerly families, it means the organization your child is dealing with may have a documented history of harm we can use to support your case.

Your Legal Pathway: Building a Case with Attorney911

If hazing has injured your child, taking swift, strategic action is vital. Evidence disappears quickly—group chats are deleted, witnesses are coached, and universities often move to control the narrative.

Our Investigative Process:

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation: We guide you to secure digital evidence (screenshots of group chats, social media posts), photograph injuries, and save physical items. Watch our guide on using your phone to document evidence.
2. The Intelligence Engine: We deploy our Texas Greek organization database to identify all entities behind the chapter—nationals, housings corps, insurers—that may be liable.
3. Uncovering Institutional Knowledge: Through subpoenas and public records requests, we obtain the chapter’s prior conduct history, the national’s risk management files, and the university’s disciplinary records to prove they knew or should have known about the danger.
4. Building a Damages Case: We work with medical experts, life-care planners, and economists to document the full scope of harm: past and future medical costs, psychological trauma (PTSD, anxiety), lost educational opportunities, and pain and suffering.

Overcoming Common Defenses:
We anticipate the defenses and dismantle them:

• “They consented:” Texas law voids this. We demonstrate the coercive environment.
• “It was off-campus/rogue members:” Nationals and universities maintain control and benefit from chapters; they cannot escape duty.
• “Our policy prohibits hazing:” We show the gap between their paper policy and their lack of enforcement or prior inadequate responses to incidents.
• Insurance Coverage Fights: Our attorney, Mr. Lupe Peña, spent years as an insurance defense lawyer. He knows exactly how insurers try to deny hazing claims under “intentional act” exclusions and how to fight for coverage.

Practical Guide for Ackerly Parents & Students

If You Suspect Hazing RIGHT NOW:

1. Prioritize Safety & Health: If there is any immediate danger or injury, call 911. Then call us at 1-888-ATTY-911.
2. Preserve Evidence: Do NOT let your child delete texts, GroupMe chats, or photos. Screenshot everything. Take photos of injuries. Save any physical objects involved.
3. Seek Medical Care: Go to the ER or a doctor. Tell them exactly what happened: “My child was forced to [description] during a fraternity event.” This creates a crucial medical record.
4. Document & Report: Write down a timeline with names, dates, and locations. You can report to campus police and the Dean of Students, but consult with us first to understand how to navigate these systems without compromising a future case.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes: Do not confront the fraternity directly. Do not sign any documents from the university or insurance company. Do not post details on social media. See our video on client mistakes that can ruin a case.

Know Your Deadlines: In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit, but exceptions apply. Do not wait. Evidence and memories fade. Learn more in our video on Texas statutes of limitations.

Why Attorney911 for Your Ackerly Hazing Case

When your family is in crisis, you need advocates who understand both the brutal reality of hazing and the complex legal battlefield against universities and national organizations. The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC (Attorney911) is not a general practice; we are Texas-based complex litigation specialists with a proven track record in the most serious institutional injury cases.

• Active, High-Stakes Hazing Litigators: We are counsel in the $10M Bermudez v. UH & Pi Kappa Phi case. We are in the fight right now.
• Insurance Insider Advantage: Attorney Mr. Lupe Peña (he/him) is a former insurance defense lawyer for a national firm. He knows how fraternity and university insurers value claims, deploy delay tactics, and fight coverage. This insider knowledge is invaluable. Learn about Mr. Peña’s background.
• Experience Against Billion-Dollar Defendants: Founding attorney Ralph Manginello was one of the few Texas lawyers involved in the BP Texas City explosion litigation. We are not intimidated by the deep pockets of national fraternities or university legal teams. Learn about Ralph’s background.
• Data-Driven Investigation: Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine gives us a foundational map of liability that most firms lack. We start your case with intelligence, not guesswork.
• Dual Civil & Criminal Expertise: Ralph’s membership in the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) means we understand the interplay between criminal hazing charges and civil lawsuits, allowing us to advise on all fronts.
• Spanish-Language Services: Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish (Se habla Español). We serve all Texas families with cultural understanding and respect.
• Contingency Fee Basis: We work on a contingency fee—you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. See how contingency fees work.

Ackerly, Your Family Deserves Answers & Accountability

Hazing shatters trust, inflicts lasting harm, and exploits the desire to belong that leads so many bright young people from communities like ours to college. If your child has been victimized, you are not alone. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve families across Texas, including those in Ackerly, Martin County, and throughout West Texas.

We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation. We will listen to your story, review the facts, explain your legal options in clear terms, and help you decide the best path forward for your family. Time is of the essence. Evidence must be preserved, and deadlines are always approaching.

Contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911 Today:

• Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct: (713) 528-9070
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email: ralph@atty911.com or lupe@atty911.com

Let us help you turn this nightmare into a pursuit of justice, accountability, and the safety of future students. Call now.

Plain Text Links to Key Resources

News Coverage of the UH Pi Kappa Phi Case:

• Click2Houston Report: https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/11/21/only-on-2-lawsuit-alleges-severe-hazing-at-university-of-houstons-pi-kappa-phi-chapter-fraternity/
• ABC13 Coverage: https://abc13.com/post/waterboarding-forced-eating-physical-punishment-lawsuit-alleges-abuse-faced-injured-pledge-uhs-pi-kappa-phi-fraternity/18186418/

Attorney911 Educational Videos:

• Documenting Evidence with Your Phone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs
• Texas Statutes of Limitations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRHwg8tV02c
• Client Mistakes to Avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IYsoxOSxY
• How Contingency Fees Work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upcI_j6F7Nc

Attorney911 Website:

• Main Site & Contact: https://attorney911.com

Legal Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is unique, and outcomes depend on specific facts and law. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly. We invite you to contact The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation regarding your specific situation.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)