A U.S. Secret Service agent is among three individuals arrested in Florida for allegedly assaulting University of Miami fraternity members in a suspected violent hazing incident.
Marquez Pinder, 29, the Secret Service agent, faces charges alongside Lamar James, 26, and Elijah Delano Dyous, 29, including hazing, attempted manslaughter, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, court documents show.
According to an arrest warrant obtained by U.S. media, one victim—a law student—developed kidney failure from the alleged beatings and required surgery; a second victim was also hospitalized.
Michael Townsend, head of the Secret Service’s Miami field office, said Pinder has been placed on administrative leave.
The BBC has reached out to Pinder’s lawyer for a comment.
The Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office said the alleged hazing took place over four days at multiple off‑campus locations.
“An investigation uncovered evidence of alleged hazing involving prolonged and repeated beatings with canes and paddles,” the office stated.
“The beatings allegedly occurred when pledges failed to answer fraternity‑related questions correctly.”
The warrant notes that, without emergency treatment, the first victim’s injuries would have caused fatal renal failure, and he continues to experience severe pain from the beatings.
Both victims were reportedly seeking membership in the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
According to the warrant, Pinder served as the fraternity’s “dean of pledges,” overseeing new‑member education at the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus.
A judge set Pinder’s bond at $75,000 (approximately £56,000) and ordered his release to house arrest with a GPS monitor; his next court appearance is scheduled for September 24.
Townsend said the Secret Service takes any criminal allegations involving its employees seriously and is fully cooperating with the investigation.
In recent years, prosecutors have filed hazing charges against several individuals, including a Pennsylvania college football coach earlier this month.
State Attorney Kathrine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement that, in Florida, hazing constitutes abuse and is a criminal offense.
“Its victims too often end up in graves or hospital beds,” she added.
