Hazing in Texas: A Comprehensive Guide for City of Industry & Austin County Families

If Your Child Was Hazed at a Texas University, You’re Not Alone

Picture this: A student from right here in Austin County accepts a bid to join a fraternity at a major Texas university, eager to find community. What begins as weekly meetings and group projects gradually turns darker—mandatory late-night “study sessions” that are really interrogations, forced outings to act as unpaid chauffeurs for older members, and constant monitoring through degrading group chats. Then comes the physical hazing: being sprayed in the face with a hose “like waterboarding,” forced to consume food until vomiting, and extreme workouts that leave them unable to stand. When they finally collapse and pass brown urine, the fraternity brothers hesitate to call for help, more concerned about “getting the chapter in trouble” than about saving a life. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it’s exactly what happened to Leonel Bermudez at the University of Houston in fall 2025.

Right now, we’re fighting one of the most serious hazing cases in Texas history. We represent Leonel Bermudez in his $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston, the Pi Kappa Phi national fraternity, its Beta Nu chapter housing corporation, and 13 individual fraternity leaders. According to media reports from Click2Houston and ABC13, Bermudez developed rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure after enduring brutal hazing that included forced consumption of milk, hot dogs, and peppercorns; being sprayed with a hose; and extreme physical workouts. He was hospitalized for four days with critically high creatine kinase levels and faces ongoing risk of permanent kidney damage. The Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter was suspended on November 6, 2025, and members voted to surrender their charter on November 14, 2025.

If you’re a parent in City of Industry, Brenham, Sealy, Bellville, or anywhere in Austin County, this guide is for you. We’ll explain exactly what hazing looks like in 2025, how Texas law protects your child, what’s happening at Texas universities where your children might attend, and what legal options your family has when the unthinkable happens.

Immediate Help for Hazing Emergencies

If your child is in danger RIGHT NOW:

• Call 911 for medical emergencies
• Then call Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• We provide immediate help—that’s why we’re the Legal Emergency Lawyers™

In the first 48 hours:

• Get medical attention immediately, even if your child insists they’re “fine”
• Preserve evidence BEFORE it’s deleted:
  • Screenshot group chats, texts, DMs immediately
  • Photograph injuries from multiple angles
  • Save physical items (clothing, receipts, objects)
• Write down everything while memory is fresh (who, what, when, where)
• Do NOT:
  • Confront the fraternity/sorority
  • Sign anything from the university or insurance company
  • Post details on public social media
  • Let your child delete messages or “clean up” evidence

Contact an experienced hazing attorney within 24–48 hours:

• Evidence disappears fast (deleted group chats, destroyed evidence, coached witnesses)
• Universities move quickly to control the narrative
• We can help preserve evidence and protect your child’s rights
• Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for immediate consultation

The Texas Greek Ecosystem Around Austin County Families

When we talk about “Greek life” affecting City of Industry families, we’re not just talking about a few social clubs. Based on our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine—which tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros—the network of fraternities, sororities, and related entities represents a complex web of organizations, insurance policies, and legal responsibilities.

Public Records: Fraternities, Sororities & Greek Organizations Serving Austin County Families

If you’re a parent in City of Industry, Bellville, Sealy, or Brenham, you deserve to know who really stands behind the Greek organizations connected to your child. Below are examples of Texas-registered Greek organizations recorded in IRS B83 public filings and Cause IQ metro data—this is the type of directory we maintain to ensure families never start from zero when investigating hazing incidents.

Texas A&M University & Surrounding Area Entities:

• KAPPA SIGMA – MU CAMMA CHAPTER INC | EIN: 133048786 | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845-6681 | IRS B83 public filing
• BETA UPSILON CHI | EIN: 742911848 | 12650 N BEACH ST STE 114 PMB 305, FORT WORTH, TX 76244-4245 | IRS-Cause IQ brand overlap entity
• ALPHA SIGMA PHI FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 812525354 | 3989 N GRAHAM RD, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845-6803 | IRS B83 public filing
• GENTLEMEN OF AGGIE TRADITION | EIN: 880537463 | 3007 EARL RUDDER FWY S STE 100, COLLEGE STATION, TX 77845-6681 | IRS B83 public filing

University of Texas at Austin Area Entities:

• CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY | EIN: 740555581 | 2711 RIO GRANDE ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705-4018 | IRS B83 public filing (Chi Omega house corporation)
• LAMBDA CHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC | EIN: 741130606 | 1908 SAN GABRIEL ST, AUSTIN, TX 78705-5318 | IRS B83 public filing
• BETA XI HOUSE CORP. OF KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA | Listed in Cause IQ Austin-Round Rock Metro data
• TEXAS RHO HOUSING CORPORATION (Sigma Alpha Epsilon) | Listed in Cause IQ Austin-Round Rock Metro data

University of Houston & Houston Metro Entities:

• SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY EPSILON XI CHAPTER | EIN: 746084905 | 4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77204-3067 | IRS B83 public filing
• TEXAS DISTRICT OF PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY | Listed in Cause IQ Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro data
• DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY – HOUSTON ALUMNAE | Listed in Cause IQ Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro data
• ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY – ALPHA KAPPA OMEGA | Listed in Cause IQ Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metro data

Statewide & Multi-Campus Entities:

• SIGMA PHI LAMBDA INC | EIN: 201237505 | 4251 FM 2181 STE 230 PMB 480, CORINTH, TX 76210-4202 | IRS B83 public filing
• HONOR SOCIETY OF PHI KAPPA PHI | EIN: 263170920 | 411 TEXAS ST ROOM 219, DENTON, TX 76204-0000 | IRS B83 public filing (Texas Woman’s University chapter)
• TEXAS KAPPA SIGMA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION INC | EIN: 741380362 | PO BOX 470061, FORT WORTH, TX 76147-0061 | IRS B83 public filing

These organizations represent just a sample of the 125+ Texas-registered Greek entities in IRS records and the 188 Greek-related organizations in the Houston metro alone. When hazing occurs, identifying every potentially liable entity—from local house corporations to national headquarters—is critical for ensuring full accountability and accessing all available insurance coverage.

Where Austin County Families Send Their Kids to College

Parents in City of Industry, Brenham, Sealy, and across Austin County typically have children attending several types of institutions:

Local & Regional Campuses:

• Blinn College (multiple campuses, including Brenham)
• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• University of Houston (Houston)
• Sam Houston State University (Huntsville)
• Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View)

Major Texas Universities (Common Destinations):

• University of Texas at Austin
• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• University of Houston
• Baylor University (Waco)
• Southern Methodist University (Dallas)
• Texas State University (San Marcos)
• Texas Tech University (Lubbock)
• University of North Texas (Denton)

The reality for Austin County families is that while our community is rooted in rural Texas values, our children often pursue higher education at large universities with significant Greek life presence. The distance from City of Industry to College Station (approximately 40 miles) or Houston (approximately 75 miles) means many local students are living away from home for the first time, navigating complex social landscapes without immediate family support.

Organizations Behind the Letters at Texas Campuses

The relationship between what happens in a fraternity house and who bears legal responsibility is more complex than most families realize. Using our cross-referenced data from IRS filings and Cause IQ metro organizations, we can trace specific national brands across multiple Texas campuses and organizational forms.

Cross-Validated Brands Operating in Texas:

• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority appears in both IRS B83 data (EINs: 364091267 in Waco, 752609909 in Commerce) and Cause IQ metro data (Beta Sigma Chapter in Houston, Mu Epsilon Chapter in Beaumont)
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity appears in IRS B83 data (EINs: 237279532 in Prairie View, 521278573 in Dallas) and Cause IQ metro data (Beaumont Alumni chapter)
• Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi appears across multiple IRS B83 filings and Cause IQ listings at Lamar University, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and other campuses
• Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity appears in IRS B83 data (EIN: 746064445 in Nederland) and Cause IQ metro data (Texas District in Houston, Lambda Lambda Chapter in Beaumont)

This cross-validation matters because it shows how the same national organization can appear through multiple legal entities: undergraduate chapters, graduate/alumni chapters, housing corporations, and educational foundations. When hazing occurs, all these entities may share liability, and all may carry insurance coverage that could compensate victims.

At the University of Houston (where we’re currently fighting the Bermudez case), the Pi Kappa Phi Beta Nu chapter wasn’t just a student club—it was connected to:

• Pi Kappa Phi national headquarters
• Beta Nu housing corporation (EIN: 462267515, based in Frisco, TX)
• Individual chapter officers and members
• The University of Houston system itself

At Texas A&M University, which many Austin County students attend, fraternities like Sigma Alpha Epsilon (which faced a chemical burns lawsuit in 2021) operate through similar multi-entity structures that our data engine helps untangle.

Texas Hazing Law Explained in Austin County Terms

Texas Education Code Chapter 37: Your Child’s Legal Protection

For families in City of Industry and throughout Austin County, it’s crucial to understand that Texas has specific laws protecting students from hazing. Under Texas Education Code Chapter 37, Subchapter F:

Definition (§37.151): Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act directed against a student for the purpose of pledging, initiation, affiliation, holding office, or maintaining membership in any organization that endangers the student’s mental or physical health or safety.

Key Points for Austin County Families:

• Location doesn’t matter: Hazing that occurs off-campus, at remote retreats, or in private homes still violates Texas law
• Consent is NOT a defense (§37.155): Even if your child “agreed” to participate, it’s still hazing under Texas law
• Good-faith reporter immunity (§37.154): Students who report hazing or call for medical help in good faith are protected from liability
• Organizational liability (§37.153): Both individuals AND organizations can face criminal penalties and fines up to $10,000

Criminal Penalties (§37.152):

• Class B Misdemeanor: Hazing that doesn’t cause serious injury (up to 180 days jail, $2,000 fine)
• Class A Misdemeanor: Hazing causing injury requiring medical treatment
• State Jail Felony: Hazing causing serious bodily injury or death

Criminal vs. Civil Cases: What Austin County Families Need to Know

Criminal Cases:

• Brought by the state (prosecutor)
• Aim: Punishment (jail, fines, probation)
• Typical charges: hazing, furnishing alcohol to minors, assault, manslaughter
  . The Harris County District Attorney’s Office would handle prosecutions for incidents at UH, while Brazos County handles Texas A&M cases

Civil Cases:

• Brought by victims or surviving families
• Aim: Compensation and accountability
• Focus: Negligence, wrongful death, negligent supervision, emotional distress
• Can proceed even without criminal charges

Federal Law Overlay

Stop Campus Hazing Act (2024): Requires colleges receiving federal aid to report hazing incidents more transparently and strengthen prevention programs (phased in by 2026)

Title IX: When hazing involves sexual harassment or gender-based hostility, additional federal protections apply

Clery Act: Requires reporting of certain campus crimes, including some hazing-related offenses

Building a Hazing Case with Attorney911’s Data Engine & Experience

How Our Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine Works for Your Family

When you come to us with a hazing case, we don’t start from scratch. Our proprietary data system—built from IRS records, university data, and organizational intelligence—allows us to immediately identify:

1. All potentially liable entities: From local housing corporations to national headquarters
2. Prior incident patterns: How the same organization has behaved at other campuses
3. Insurance coverage mapping: What policies might cover the harm
4. Organizational connections: How alumni networks, advisors, and national offices are connected

In the Leonel Bermudez UH Pi Kappa Phi case, this investigative depth helped us identify 13 individual defendants plus multiple organizational defendants. We uncovered the network of entities behind the Beta Nu chapter that shared responsibility for what happened.

Evidence That Wins Hazing Cases

Digital Evidence (Most Critical):

• Group chats (GroupMe, WhatsApp, iMessage)
• Social media posts and DMs (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok)
• Deleted messages recovered through digital forensics
• Location data and timestamps

Physical & Medical Evidence:

• Photographs of injuries (immediate and over time)
• Medical records documenting treatment
• Toxicology reports and lab results
• Physical objects used in hazing (paddles, props, clothing)

Institutional Records:

• University conduct files and prior violations
• National fraternity risk management reports
• Insurance policies and coverage documents
• Member rosters and organizational charts

Damages: What Austin County Families Can Recover

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses (ER, hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment)
• Future medical care (therapy, medications, long-term monitoring)
• Lost educational opportunities (withdrawn semesters, lost scholarships)
• Lost earning capacity (if injuries affect future employment)

Non-Economic Damages:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress, PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Humiliation and reputational harm

Wrongful Death Damages (for families):

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship and support
• Emotional suffering of family members
• Lost financial contribution from the deceased

Punitive Damages: In cases of particularly reckless or intentional conduct, additional damages may punish defendants and deter future hazing

Practical Steps for Austin County Parents & Students

For Parents: Recognizing Warning Signs

Physical Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, burns, or injuries
• Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
• Weight changes from food/water restriction
• Sleep deprivation (constant late nights, early wake-ups)

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden secrecy about organization activities
• Withdrawal from family and non-Greek friends
• Personality changes (anxiety, depression, irritability)
• Defensiveness when asked about the organization

Academic & Financial Red Flags:

• Grades dropping suddenly
• Missing classes or assignments
• Unexpected large expenses (forced purchases, “fines”)
• Constant phone use for group chat monitoring

For Students: Your Rights & Safety Planning

If you’re in immediate danger:

• Call 911 or campus police
• Get to a safe location
• You won’t get in trouble for calling for help in a medical emergency

If you want to quit/de-pledge safely:

• Tell someone outside the organization first (parent, RA, friend)
• Send an email or text to chapter leadership: “I am resigning my membership effective immediately”
• Do NOT go to “one last meeting” where you might be pressured or threatened
• Document any retaliation and report it to campus authorities

Evidence preservation (DO THIS IMMEDIATELY):

• Screenshot all group chats with timestamps visible
• Photograph injuries from multiple angles
• Save all messages (do NOT delete anything, even if embarrassed)
• Write down names of witnesses and what happened

Reporting Channels for Austin County Families

On Campus:

• Dean of Students office
• Office of Student Conduct
• Campus police department
• Title IX Coordinator (if sexual harassment involved)

Off Campus:

• Local police (city PD or county sheriff)
• Texas Rangers (for serious cases crossing county lines)
• National Anti-Hazing Hotline: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (anonymous)

Legal Consultation:

• Attorney911: 1-888-ATTY-911 (immediate consultation)
• Spanish services available: Lupe Peña at lupe@atty911.com

Critical Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

1. Deleting evidence: Messages, photos, or videos
2. Confronting the organization directly: They’ll lawyer up and destroy evidence
3. Signing university “resolution” forms: Often waive your right to sue
4. Posting on social media: Defense attorneys screenshot everything
5. Waiting to see “how the university handles it”: Evidence disappears, statutes of limitations run
6. Talking to insurance adjusters without a lawyer: Recorded statements are used against you
7. Letting your child go back to “one last meeting”: Pressure and intimidation tactics

Why Attorney911 for Austin County Hazing Cases

Texas-Based Hazing Specialists Serving Your Community

When your family faces a hazing crisis, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need attorneys who understand how powerful institutions fight back—and how to win anyway. From our Houston office, we serve families throughout Texas, including City of Industry, Brenham, Sealy, Bellville, and all of Austin County.

Our Unique Qualifications

Insurance Insider Advantage (Lupe Peña):
Mr. Lupe Peña spent years as an insurance defense attorney at a national firm. He knows exactly how fraternity and university insurance companies value (and undervalue) hazing claims, their delay tactics, coverage exclusion arguments, and settlement strategies. As he says in the ABC13 coverage of the Bermudez case: “If this prevents harm to another person…Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Complex Institutional Litigation Experience (Ralph Manginello):
Ralph Manginello is one of the few Texas attorneys involved in BP Texas City explosion litigation—proven experience against billion-dollar defendants with unlimited legal budgets. His federal court experience (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) and HCCLA criminal defense background mean we understand both civil and criminal aspects of hazing cases.

Texas Hazing Intelligence Engine:
Our proprietary data system tracks 1,423 Greek organizations across 25 Texas metros. We don’t start investigating when you call—we already know the organizational landscape, insurance patterns, and historical conduct of groups at Texas universities.

Multi-Million Dollar Results:
We’ve recovered millions for clients in wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases. We work with economists, life care planners, and medical experts to ensure full compensation for all damages—not just quick settlements.

Spanish Language Services for Austin County Families

Mr. Peña speaks fluent Spanish and can consult with Spanish-speaking families directly at lupe@atty911.com. We understand the cultural considerations and communication needs of Hispanic families in our community.

Your Next Step: Free, Confidential Consultation

If your child has experienced hazing at any Texas university, we want to help. We offer confidential, no-obligation consultations to Austin County families. Here’s what you can expect:

In Your Free Consultation:

• We listen to your story without judgment
• Review any evidence you’ve preserved
• Explain your legal options clearly
• Discuss realistic timelines and expectations
• Answer questions about costs (we work on contingency—no fee unless we win)
• No pressure to hire us immediately

Contact Attorney911 Today:

• 24/7 Emergency Line: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
• Direct Office: (713) 528-9070
• Cell: (713) 443-4781
• Website: https://attorney911.com
• Email Ralph Manginello: ralph@atty911.com
• Email Lupe Peña (Spanish services): lupe@atty911.com

We Serve All of Texas:
While based in Houston, we represent hazing victims and families across Texas, including those from City of Industry, Brenham, Sealy, Bellville, and throughout Austin County. Distance is no barrier—we’ll come to you or meet virtually, whatever works best for your family during this difficult time.

“Enough is Enough”

As Mr. Peña stated in the Bermudez case coverage, “Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.” If hazing has impacted your family, you don’t have to face this alone. Call us today for the immediate, aggressive, professional help that defines Attorney911 as the Legal Emergency Lawyers™.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC.

Hazing laws, university policies, and legal precedents can change. The information in this guide is current as of late 2025 but may not reflect the most recent developments. Every hazing case is unique, and outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, applicable law, and many other factors.

If you or your child has been affected by hazing, we strongly encourage you to consult with a qualified Texas attorney who can review your specific situation, explain your legal rights, and advise you on the best course of action for your family.

The cases and results discussed in this article depend on a variety of factors unique to each case. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.

The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC / Attorney911
Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Texas
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911)
Direct: (713) 528-9070 | Cell: (713) 443-4781
Website: https://attorney911.com
Email: ralph@atty911.com