Secret Service agent, two others arrested in fraternity hazing case

A U.S. Secret Service agent and two other men were arrested on felony charges including attempted manslaughter in connection with a severe fraternity hazing incident that left a pledge hospitalized with near-fatal kidney damage. The arrests, announced on July 27, 2026, followed a multi-agency investigation into beatings that occurred over four days in early April.

Marquez Christopher Pinder, 29, a Secret Service agent assigned to the Miami Field Office, was taken into custody on Sunday, July 26, along with Jared Lamar James, 26, and Elijah Delano Dyous, 29. All three face charges of attempted manslaughter with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and hazing with a deadly weapon. Pinder has been placed on administrative leave, and the Secret Service stated it is fully cooperating with the investigation.

According to arrest warrants, the alleged hazing involved prolonged and repeated beatings with paddles and canes administered to two pledges of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at the University of Miami. Prosecutors said the beatings were triggered when the pledges failed to correctly answer questions about the fraternity. The incidents began on April 1 at an...