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Pledge now says fraternity did not haze him

A Pi Kappa Alpha pledge, who accused the fraternity of hazing last week, said Monday he lied to police when he was arrested.

“In the course of my arrest, I lied about being hazed and forced to drink alcohol,” said Ry Thomas Mercado, in a letter to The Red & Black, which appears in its entirety on page four.

Mercado, a sophomore from Warner Robins, was arrested for underage possession of alcohol Thursday, and told police that members of his fraternity would have kicked him out if he didn’t drink alcohol. He said he planned to pursue hazing charges.

After The Red & Black contacted Mercado about the letter, he requested it be retracted.

He later changed his mind and requested the letter act as his official statement when asked for comment Monday afternoon.

Jared Swanson, president of the fraternity, refused to comment about whether the fraternity was hazing Mercado and wouldn’t say if he felt Mercado’s statement absolved Pi Kappa Alpha of the allegation.

“Basically, we’re not at liberty to discuss the situation because it is still under investigation,” Swanson said. “The University has our full cooperation over the next couple weeks.”

In his letter Mercado said his biggest regret was embarrassing the fraternity. Mercado hailed Swanson as embodying “the best attributes of any man” and being a “wise leader” and “the man [he] should aspire to be.”

Mercado said the letter was a portion of a statement given to the Interfraternity Council, of which Pi Kappa Alpha is a member.

“The chapter is cooperating fully with the University, the national fraternity, and the IFC,” said Trevor Brightwell, president of the IFC in an e-mailed statement. “We look forward to a conclusion of the investigation.”

Mercado could be charged with issuing a false statement or even obstruction of justice, said University Police Chief Jimmy Williamson.

Mercado declined to comment on his status as a member of the fraternity or why he decided to issue the letter to The Red & Black.