Frat Pledges At SUNY Canton Allegedly Forced To Rub Hot Sauce Into Their Crotches During Hazing

Seven members of Zeta Alpha Phi at the State University of New York-Canton were charged with first-degree hazing Wednesday in connection with a series of revolting initiation rituals that allegedly took place in last semester.

The charges against the SUNY Canton fraternity members are the result of at least one pledge coming forward to police in November 2013.

According to the Watertown Daily Times, pledges were allegedly forced to rub hot sauce on their crotches; to put a mixture of chewing tobacco, hot sauce and onions in their mouths; to spit raw egg between each other's mouths; struck with a paddle on their rear ends; and the father of one fraternity member allegedly branded brothers with metal clothes hanger. One pledge said he was told to grab feces out of the toilet and that "if I was a true brother, I would eat it." The pledge did not eat it.

The incident took place off campus. First-degree hazing is a Class A misdemeanor under New York state law.

Police issued charges against Thomas E. Cahill, 19; Thomas B. Hollister, 19; Christopher Masuicca, 19; Samuel W.R. Monnat, 20; Cody M. Peterson, 19; Camron R. Waters, 20; and Luke M. Williamson, 20.

"Chris and Tom Cahill told me I couldn’t do anything because one of their alumni was a local cop," one of the pledges told police, according to the Watertown Daily Times.

Two participants in the hazing incident were expelled and five suspended, WNYF reports. The university has not publicly named which members were punished by the school.

Although Zeta Alpha Phi was unsanctioned, the university permanently revoked its recognition of the frat as well. It was previously suspended in 2006 due to hazing.

"I am disgusted and appalled by the alleged actions of some of the members of Zeta Alpha Phi," SUNY Canton acting President Joseph C. Hoffman said in November. "Their actions certainly do not reflect the overall conduct of our students or the rest of the College's Greek community."

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to correct the name of the local newspaper to Watertown Daily Times from Waterbury Times.