Secret Service agent among those charged in South Florida fraternity hazing investigation

SWEETWATER, Fla. — A Secret Service agent is among the men who have been charged in connection with a fraternity hazing investigation in Miami-Dade County, Local 10 learned Monday.

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The Secret Service confirmed that Marquez Christopher Pinder, 29, is a current agent assigned to South Florida.

Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and Sweetwater Police Chief Sergio Diez announced the arrests of Pinder, 26-year-old Jared Lamar James and 29-year-old Elijah Delano Dyous over the weekend.

Online jail records show James was arrested Friday and Pinder was taken into custody on Sunday. Dyous was not appearing in jail records, as of Monday morning.

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Authorities said an investigation uncovered evidence of alleged hazing incidents involving prolonged and repeated beatings with canes and paddles. They said failing to correctly answer questions about the fraternity allegedly led to the beatings.

According to investigators, the hazing began April 1 at an apartment in Sweetwater and continued through April 2 and April 3 at the same location. On April 4, authorities said the hazing continued at a home in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

Authorities said the beatings were carried out by the three suspects.

Pinder, James and Dyous are each charged with two counts of attempted manslaughter with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm and hazing with a deadly weapon.

“Among some, fraternity hazing might be seen as a tradition creating a sense of belonging and brotherhood, but since 2001, hazing in Florida has killed Chad Meredith, Robert Champion and Andrew Coffey while seriously injuring others. This case, with the victims requiring hospitalization, provide clear-cut examples of hazing’s danger,” Fernandez Rundle said. “In Florida, hazing is abuse and it is a crime. Its victims too often lie in their graves and in hospital beds.”

As of Monday morning, authorities have not publicly identified the university the suspects are affiliated with.

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