9 charged after frat hazing ends with hospital trip

FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WMBF) The Florence County Sheriff's Office has arrested nine men in connection to a hazing incident involving members of a fraternity formerly affiliated with Francis Marion University Thursday.

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Click here to view a photo gallery of those arrested for hazing

Capt. Mike Nunn, spokesman for the Florence County Sheriff's Office, said the alleged incident occurred at the home of Maurice Lavon Robinson, 34, along Rosemount Drive in Florence County on Oct. 23.

According to Nunn, all nine suspects intentionally inflicted physical harm on the victim by beating him with a paddle. The victim reportedly suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalized as a result.

Robinson and the following fellow arrestees are said to be current or former members of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity formerly affiliated with FMU:

Uribe Raymon Norton, 22, of St. Stephens
Jatravian Funtello Brown, 21, of Clinton
Chappelle Marcus Smith, 23, of Florence

Nicholas Alexander Washington, 27, of Florence
Marcus N. Raven, 22, of Florence
Henry James Watson, 22, of Sumter
Miles Rukean Norton, 24, of St. Stevens
Kevin Lequincy Cooper, 23, of Florence

Each were charged with hazing and have been released from the Florence County Detention Center on $5,000 personal recognizance bonds.

Nunn said SC law indicates that hazing is a misdemeanor which carries a sentence of up to $500 in fines and/or imprisonment for up to one year.

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