Hazing Victims in Sandoval County: Your Legal Rights & How Attorney 911 Can Help
🚨 Hazing Is Not Tradition — It’s Abuse. And It’s Happening in Sandoval County.
If you or your child has been hazed at a fraternity, sorority, sports team, marching band, ROTC program, or any student organization in Sandoval County, New Mexico, you need to know:
✅ Hazing is illegal in New Mexico — and nationwide.
✅ Consent is not a defense — even if you “agreed” to participate.
✅ Universities, national organizations, and individuals can be held liable.
✅ You may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Attorney 911 is currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston — and we’re ready to fight for Sandoval County families with the same aggressive representation.
📍 Hazing in Sandoval County: What You Need to Know
🏫 Universities & Colleges Near Sandoval County Where Hazing Occurs
While we don’t have documented hazing incidents in Sandoval County itself, hazing is a nationwide epidemic — and the same fraternities, sororities, and organizations operating in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and surrounding areas have been involved in hazing cases across the country.
Nearby institutions with Greek life and student organizations where hazing may occur:
- University of New Mexico (UNM) – Albuquerque, NM (30 miles from Sandoval County)
- Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) – Albuquerque, NM
- New Mexico Highlands University – Las Vegas, NM
- New Mexico State University – Las Cruces, NM
- Eastern New Mexico University – Portales, NM
- Private colleges in the region
The same national fraternities and sororities involved in hazing deaths and lawsuits nationwide — including Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and others — have active chapters at these institutions.
If your child attends or plans to attend any of these schools, they face the same hazing risks that hospitalized our client in Houston.
🔥 The Hazing Crisis: What’s Really Happening Behind Closed Doors
Hazing isn’t just “boys being boys” or “building brotherhood.” It’s abuse. It’s torture. And it’s happening right now in New Mexico.
💀 Hazing Kills — And It’s 100% Preventable
Since 2000, there has been at least one hazing death every year in the U.S.
- Andrew Coffey (2017) – Pi Kappa Phi, Florida State – Died from forced alcohol consumption
- Max Gruver (2017) – Phi Delta Theta, LSU – Forced drinking, BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit)
- Timothy Piazza (2017) – Beta Theta Pi, Penn State – Fell down stairs after forced drinking, died from traumatic brain injury
- Stone Foltz (2021) – Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green – Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol, died from alcohol poisoning
- Leonel Bermudez (2025) – Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston – Waterboarded, forced to do 500 squats, hospitalized with kidney failure
These aren’t isolated incidents. This is a pattern — and it’s happening at universities near Sandoval County.
🚨 What Happened in Houston Could Happen in Sandoval County
Our Current Case: The $10 Million Fight Against Pi Kappa Phi & UH
📰 Media Coverage:
📋 What Happened to Leonel Bermudez (Our Client)
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept 16, 2025 | Accepts bid to Pi Kappa Phi at UH as a “ghost rush” (not yet enrolled) |
| Sept – Nov 2025 | Weeks of systematic hazing — waterboarding, forced eating, extreme physical punishment |
| Oct 13, 2025 | Another pledge hog-tied face-down on a table with an object in his mouth for over an hour |
| Oct 15, 2025 | A pledge loses consciousness during forced workout — other pledges had to elevate his legs |
| Nov 3, 2025 | Bermudez punished with 100+ pushups, 500 squats, “suicides,” bear crawls, 100-yard crawls — becomes so exhausted he can’t stand without help |
| Nov 4–5, 2025 | Can’t move; condition worsens |
| Nov 6, 2025 | Mother rushes him to the hospital — brown urine (sign of muscle breakdown), diagnosed with severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure |
| Nov 6–10, 2025 | Hospitalized for 3 nights, 4 days |
| Nov 14, 2025 | Pi Kappa Phi closes Beta Nu Chapter |
| Nov 21, 2025 | $10 MILLION LAWSUIT FILED by Attorney 911 |
🔪 The Hazing Activities That Hospitalized Our Client
| Category | Examples | Legal Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Waterboarding | Simulated drowning with garden hose while doing calisthenics | Torture; Assault |
| Forced Consumption | Milk, hot dogs, peppercorns eaten until vomiting; forced to continue running after vomiting | Hazing; Reckless Endangerment |
| Extreme Physical Punishment | 500+ squats, 100+ pushups, “suicides,” bear crawls, 100-yard crawls, wooden paddles | Hazing; Assault; Battery |
| Psychological Torture | Forced to carry fanny pack with sexual objects; hog-tying with object in mouth; threats of expulsion | Hazing; False Imprisonment; IIED |
| Sleep Deprivation | Forced to drive members during early morning hours | Hazing |
| Cold Exposure | Forced to strip to underwear in cold weather | Hazing; Reckless Endangerment |
🏥 Medical Consequences: Rhabdomyolysis & Kidney Failure
- Rhabdomyolysis = Muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin into bloodstream → kidney damage
- Symptoms: Severe muscle pain, brown/dark urine, inability to walk, kidney failure
- Treatment: 4-day hospitalization, IV fluids, potential long-term kidney damage
- Long-term risks: Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, kidney transplant
This is not “hazing.” This is torture that could have killed him.
⚖️ New Mexico Hazing Laws: What’s Illegal?
📜 New Mexico Anti-Hazing Statute (NMSA 1978, § 29-2-11)
Definition of Hazing:
Any intentional, knowing, or reckless act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation, admission, or affiliation with any organization.
Key Provisions:
✅ Consent is NOT a defense — even if you “agreed” to participate.
✅ Organizations can be held liable — fraternities, sororities, sports teams, etc.
✅ Individuals can be held personally liable — chapter officers, members, alumni.
✅ Criminal penalties — up to 1 year in jail and $1,000 fine for hazing.
✅ Enhanced penalties if hazing results in serious bodily injury or death.
If your child was hazed in Sandoval County or at a nearby university, they may have a strong legal case.
💰 Who Is Liable? (And Who Pays)
🎯 Defendants We Pursue in Hazing Cases
| Defendant | Why They’re Liable | Deep Pockets? |
|---|---|---|
| Local Chapter | Directly organized and conducted hazing | Chapter assets, insurance |
| National Organization | Failed to supervise; knew about hazing culture | Millions in assets & insurance |
| University/College | Failed to prevent hazing; owned/controlled property | Substantial endowment & insurance |
| Chapter Officers | Leadership responsibility; directed hazing | Personal assets, homeowner’s insurance |
| Individual Members | Participated in hazing | Personal assets, homeowner’s insurance |
| Alumni/Hosts | Allowed hazing at their residence | Homeowner’s insurance |
| Housing Corporation | Owned/controlled property where hazing occurred | Property assets, insurance |
💸 The Deep Pockets:
- National fraternities/sororities have millions in assets and insurance.
- Universities have substantial endowments and liability coverage.
- Individuals may have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers liability.
💰 Our Current Case:
We’re suing Pi Kappa Phi National, the local chapter, the University of Houston, individual members, and alumni — everyone responsible.
🏆 Precedent Cases: Hazing Victims Win Millions
💰 $10.1 Million (Stone Foltz, 2021)
- Victim: Stone Foltz (20, Pi Kappa Alpha, Bowling Green State)
- Hazing: Forced to drink entire bottle of alcohol
- Result: Died from alcohol poisoning
- Settlement: $10.1 million (university + fraternity)
- Criminal: Multiple members convicted
💰 $6.1 Million Jury Verdict (Max Gruver, 2017)
- Victim: Max Gruver (18, Phi Delta Theta, LSU)
- Hazing: “Bible Study” drinking game — wrong answer = drink more
- Result: BAC 0.495 (6x legal limit), died from alcohol poisoning
- Verdict: $6.1 million
- Criminal: Member convicted of negligent homicide
💰 $110+ Million (Timothy Piazza, 2017)
- Victim: Timothy Piazza (19, Beta Theta Pi, Penn State)
- Hazing: Forced to drink 18 drinks in 82 minutes, fell down stairs repeatedly
- Result: Traumatic brain injury, died after fraternity waited 12 hours to call 911
- Settlement: $110+ million (estimated)
- Criminal: 18 members charged, multiple convictions
💰 $10 Million (Our Current Case – Leonel Bermudez, 2025)
- Victim: Leonel Bermudez (Pi Kappa Phi, University of Houston)
- Hazing: Waterboarding, 500 squats, wooden paddles, forced eating until vomiting
- Result: Rhabdomyolysis, kidney failure, 4-day hospitalization
- Lawsuit: $10 million filed November 21, 2025
📌 These cases prove that hazing victims and families can — and do — win big. The same results are possible for Sandoval County families.
🔍 What to Do If Your Child Was Hazed in Sandoval County
🚨 Step-by-Step Action Plan
| Step | Action | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Seek Medical Attention | Go to the ER or urgent care immediately | Document injuries; protect health |
| 2. Preserve Evidence | Take photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, texts, social media | Evidence disappears quickly |
| 3. Do NOT Talk to the Organization | Avoid speaking to fraternity/sorority, university, or their lawyers | They will try to control the narrative |
| 4. Do NOT Post on Social Media | Stay off Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. | Anything you post can be used against you |
| 5. Report to Authorities | File a police report; consider Title IX complaint | Creates official record |
| 6. Contact an Attorney | Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation | Know your rights before talking to anyone |
📌 Critical Evidence to Preserve
✅ Medical records (ER, hospital, therapy)
✅ Photos/videos of injuries, hazing locations, items used
✅ Text messages, GroupMe, Snapchat, Instagram DMs about hazing
✅ Witness names & contact info
✅ Fraternity/sorority documents (pledge manuals, schedules)
✅ Financial records (medical bills, lost wages)
⚠️ DO NOT:
- Delete any messages or posts
- Sign anything from the organization
- Talk to insurance adjusters without your lawyer
- Assume “it’s just tradition” — this is abuse
💼 Why Sandoval County Families Choose Attorney 911
✅ We’re Already Fighting This Battle — And Winning
- Currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against Pi Kappa Phi and the University of Houston.
- 25+ years of litigation experience (Ralph Manginello).
- Former insurance defense attorneys — we know how they think and how to beat them.
- Federal court authority — can pursue cases nationwide.
- Dual-state licensed (Texas & New York) — strategic advantage for national fraternity cases.
- Se habla español — bilingual staff for Spanish-speaking families.
- Contingency fee — $0 upfront. We don’t get paid unless you win.
🏆 Our Approach for Sandoval County Hazing Victims
- Immediate Response – We act fast to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
- Aggressive Investigation – We gather medical records, witness statements, and digital evidence.
- Expert Network – Work with medical experts, hazing culture experts, and accident reconstructionists.
- Multi-Defendant Strategy – Sue the chapter, nationals, university, and individuals.
- Maximum Compensation – Fight for medical bills, pain and suffering, punitive damages.
- Travel to Sandoval County – We come to you for depositions, meetings, and trials.
🗣️ What Our Clients Say
“Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer regarding my case.” — Dame Haskett
“They fought with the other party insurance and got me more of the settlement that I was expecting.” — Vivian Ruiz
“This place feels like having a family over your case. And communication with you every step of the way.” — Kiwi Potato
📞 Sandoval County Families: Call Now for a Free Consultation
🚨 If your child was hazed in Sandoval County or at a nearby university, you have legal rights. We can help.
📅 Free, Confidential Consultation
📞 1-888-ATTY-911 (24/7)
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
💡 Why Call Now?
- Evidence disappears fast — the sooner we act, the stronger your case.
- Statute of limitations — you have a limited time to file a claim.
- We work on contingency — $0 upfront. You pay nothing unless we win.
🔥 Fraternities & Universities Near Sandoval County: We’re Watching You
To Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, and all other national organizations with chapters near Sandoval County:
We know your playbook. We know your history. We know you’ve paid millions in hazing settlements before — and you’ll pay again.
To the University of New Mexico, CNM, and other institutions near Sandoval County:
You own the buildings. You collect the rent. You have the power to stop this. If you don’t, you’re next.
To the parents of Sandoval County:
Your child trusted these institutions. That trust was betrayed. We will fight for accountability — no matter where it happened.
📢 Enough Is Enough. It’s Time for Justice.
If your child was hazed in Sandoval County or at a nearby university, call us now.
📞 1-888-ATTY-911
📧 ralph@atty911.com
🌐 attorney911.com
We don’t just talk about hazing. We’re fighting it right now — and we’ll fight for Sandoval County families too.
