Several sorority sisters from this university’s Zeta Phi Beta chapter are set to appear in court next month for second-degree assault and hazing charges put forth by one of their new members earlier this year.
The sorority members — alumna Bridget Blount, 24; alumna Zakiya Shivers, 26; Tymesha Pendleton, 26; Monika Young, 23; student Kandyce Jackson, 20; student Montressa Hammond, 24 — will appear in the Hyattsville District Court on April 1. The final defendant, student Amber Bijou, 22, will be assigned a court date March 17.
The 22-year-old student victim, who has since left the sorority, reported three separate hazing incidents to the university and Prince George’s County Police in November. She was allegedly assaulted in three off-campus houses owned by other members of Zeta Phi Beta.
According to charging documents, Blount allegedly pushed the victim into a wall and threw her around a house near Annapolis Road and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway on Oct. 15. The following day, at another house in Bladensburg, Shivers, Pendleton and Young reportedly punched the victim in the arm. Pendleton and Young also allegedly beat her on the buttocks with an oak paddle. On Oct. 16, Pendleton reportedly choked the victim in the same house.
On Oct. 18, at a house in Adelphi, the documents said Bijou, Jackson and Hammond allegedly punched the victim in the arm repeatedly; Bijou allegedly pushed her into a wall; and Hammond allegedly grabbed her by the shirt and swung her around the room.
The series of assaults reportedly left severe bruising on the victim’s arms and chest. She reported the incidents to the university and worked with Prince George’s County Police to identify the suspects through pictures.
In addition to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine for hazing if they are convicted, each of the seven sorority sisters could also face up to 10 years in jail and/or a $2,500 fine for second-degree assault if they are found guilty.
The sorority was suspended from the university indefinitely in November after the hazing allegations surfaced.
The Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life is waiting to take any action against the sorority until the court makes formal decisions on each case, according to Director Matt Supple.
“If those allegations are true, I would be appalled that a values-based organization would commit those crimes,” Supple said.
Criminal charges are rare for Greek organizations at this university, Supple said, adding in the 17 years he’s worked for the department, he’s only encountered hazing allegations that lead to criminal investigations a handful of times.
Supple said he expects the sorority’s national chapter to become involved after the investigations against the members are closed.
Pan-Hellenic Council Adviser Kevin Pitts, who oversees Zeta Phi Beta, said all PHC chapters have anti-hazing policies.
“We advise all of our chapters to abide by our national policy,” he said, adding he thinks it is unfortunate when chapters stretch the boundaries of those guidelines.
Student Conduct Office Assistant Director Tamara Saunders; Anthony Faterni, Jackson’s lawyer; Pan-Hellenic Council President Kevin Chambers; and the victim could not be reached for comment.
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