Firefighters and police responding to a fire alarm at a University of Iowa fraternity house discovered 56 shirtless pledges lined up along a basement wall, many blindfolded and covered in what appeared to be food and liquids during what authorities identified as an illegal hazing ritual.
Bodycam footage released from the 15 November 2024 incident shows officers bursting into the Alpha Delta Phi frat house basement where the young men stood immobile and silent when authorities arrived. Many were barefoot and drenched in substances whilst standing in darkness.
“This is the police department, this stops here. Who is in charge?” the cop yelled to no response from the pledges whose eyes shifted between one another. The officer added: “I’ve already given multiple commands to clear the room and get out of here, but no one’s moving.”
Another officer remarked on the disgusting smell coming from the basement as authorities tried to determine who was responsible for the property. The pledges eventually revealed their “house dad” was in charge but claimed he was away working and unreachable.
Joseph Gaya, 22, who was not a University of Iowa student and did not live at the house, surveyed the raid whilst sipping a drink and puffing on his vape. He asked a cop if he wanted to “taste” a red substance on a pledge’s neck while officers checked for injuries.
Gaya launched into an explosive rant against police during ID checks, telling officers to conduct them elsewhere and calling one cop a “fing ft.” He stated: “You got nothing, you got nothing, you got fing nothing. There’s no fire here, there’s no nothing.” When asked why the young men were at the house, Gaya said it was for a celebration.
Gaya was arrested and charged with interference with official acts the day after the incident. However, those charges were dismissed approximately one year later. “This past year has been challenging, but I’m thankful the case was dismissed, and the truth was recognized,” Gaya told KCRG 9 after being cleared.
As the bodycam footage emerged, Gaya took to Instagram sharing a clip of Barstool Big Kat speaking positively about his behavior during the raid. At one point during the incident, a young man initially appeared to subtly block an officer from entering, which the officer later noted.
The University of Iowa released a statement shortly after the incident confirming it took “immediate action” following the discovery. “The university is committed to protecting the health and safety of its students and will address any behavior that puts student safety at risk,” the statement declared.
Alpha Delta Phi was suspended for four years until 1 July 2029. Hazing represents a criminal misdemeanor strictly prohibited at the University of Iowa. The university stated it would follow the Student Organization Discipline Procedure including sanctions for prohibited behaviors including hazing, misconduct, and alcohol and illegal drugs.
Fraternities are required by the university to undergo training on alcohol use, violence prevention and leadership development. The Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity stated it remains “steadfast in its zero-tolerance hazing policy,” confirming an independent third-party investigation was conducted and individuals responsible were removed from membership.
The fraternity noted the Iowa chapter received thorough anti-hazing education and participates in hazing prevention programming. The four-year suspension means no Alpha Delta Phi activities can occur at the university until the 2029 reinstatement date, with any violations potentially extending the ban further.
