UCF suspends frat for 3rd time

Latest case involves rape accusation

The University of Central Florida has suspended one of its on-campus fraternities after police say a woman was raped during a party.

This is the third time Alpha Tau Omega has been suspended by the school in the past five years.

Two letters sent from the school to Alpha Tau Omega accuse the fraternity of lying to university officials after the woman reported the rape to police.

The letters state the fraternity withheld information or provided false, misleading, incomplete or incorrect information to university workers or police.

The school on Wednesday also accused the fraternity of several other violations, including disruptive conduct, underage drinking and failing to take steps to prevent underage drinking on its property.

The suspension means ATO will not be able to participate in any on- or offcampus events, including fundraisers, socials or recruitment.

The letter states UCF will hold a hearing on Aug. 23 in the Office of Student Conduct to determine the status of the interim suspension.

Police say a woman was raped last month when Alpha Tau Omega hosted a “New Year’s in July Party.”

She told officers she tried to scream, but one of the men covered her mouth, then wrapped his other hand around her throat, an arrest report states.

Alexander Emilio Garces, 22, was arrested Monday on charges of sexual battery and kidnap or false imprisonment. Police said they plan to arrest a second man, a UCF graduate who doesn’t live locally.

Alpha Tau Omega released a statement Wednesday, explaining they will work with the school. The group also said they suspended Garces and the party was approved by UCF and “held in accordance to strict university guidelines.”

“The fraternity will continue to work with UCF officials, and will take part in the August 23rd hearing,” the statement reads. “The second man being sought by police is an alumnus of the chapter, and his membership has been suspended by the fraternity.”

UCF said an interim suspension is unusual but used in cases “where the welfare of any individual, the student body, or any part of the university or its community is concerned,” according to one of the letters.

“It is important for the parties affiliated … to actively support the student conduct process as we seek an appropriate resolution that will further underscore the value of being members of the fraternity and sorority life community at the University of Central Florida,” the letter reads.

In 2012, UCF suspended ATO after it was accused of forcing a pledge to stand in an ice bucket while fraternity members beat him.

A year later — while the fraternity was still on probation — Alpha Tau Omega was suspended again after hosting the same “New Year’s in July Party.”

Police said they found people passed out on the lawn — one of them was lying in his own vomit — along with underage students drinking, which violated university rules.