Search Warrant Alleges New Details About Suspended Penn State Fraternity
Pictures on a shared Facebook page, appeared to show nude, unconscious women.
-- A police search warrant gives new details about why a Penn State fraternity was suspended for a year and faces additional investigations.
State College Police have been investigating members of the Kappa Delta Rho for allegedly maintaining a private Facebook page that featured pictures of nude, unconscious women.
According to a police search warrant from police in State College, Pennsylvania, a fraternity member arrived at the police station in January with concerns that the page called "2.0" was illegal.
He also told police that the page had been created soon after a similar page then called "Covert Business Transactions" was taken down after an alleged victim complained, according to the warrant. There were 144 active users on the page at the time the police learned of the page's existence, the warrant stated.
In the search warrant the police found multiple pictures of nude women, who appeared to be passed out or in sexual or embarrassing positions.
State College Police Lt. Keith Robb told the Associated Press that in two cases the pictures, "yielded information on two victims whose images would rise to the level of criminal action."
Requests for comment from a current member of Kappa Delta Rho through phone call and email, were not immediately answered.
Joseph S. Rosenberg, executive director, Kappa Delta Rho National, said in a statement that they were also investigating the incident and that they will be cooperating with law enforcement and the school investigation.
"The national leadership of Kappa Delta Rho is committed to hold our brothers accountable for their actions," read the partial statement, which also said the chapter must reorganize. "We embrace the principle of respect for all persons and we will adhere to that principle in this matter."
Damon Sims, the VP of Student Affairs at Penn State, asked any students affected by the Facebook page to come forward.
"The University will hold accountable any groups and individuals found responsible," Sims said in a statement. "Discipline and accountability for Penn State's fraternities can occur on several levels since these are private organizations."
Under the suspension the fraternity will not be allowed to participate or host social activities, host intramural sport teams or conduct any business without the consent of the Penn State Interfraternity Council.