Miami –July 26, 2026 – Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz and City of Sweetwater Chief of Police Sergio Diez announce the arrests of 29-year-old Marquez Christopher Pinder, 26-year-old Jared Lamar James and 29-year-old Elijah Delano Dyous. We want to collectively thank all the partners that assisted in this investigation leading to these arrests.

An investigation revealed evidence of alleged hazing incidents involving prolonged and repeated beatings with canes and paddles. A failure to correctly answer questions about the fraternity, allegedly led to the beatings. The alleged hazing incident began on April 1st, 2026, at 400 SW 107 Avenue, Apartment 1368, Sweetwater, Florida and continued through April 2nd and April 3rd at the same Sweetwater location. On April 4th, 2026, the alleged hazing continued at a residence located in unincorporated Miami-Dade County at 10277 SW 183rd Street, Miami, Florida, the jurisdiction of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

Marquez Christopher Pinder, Jared Lamar James, and Elijah Delano Dyous are all charged with various counts of:
• Attempted Manslaughter/Deadly Weapon – 2nd Degree Felony
• Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon/Great Bodily Harm – 1st Degree Felony
• Hazing with a Deadly Weapon – 2nd Degree Felony

The alleged hazing was performed by these individuals.

“Among some, fraternity hazing might be seen as a tradition creating a sense of belonging and brotherhood, but since 2001, hazing in Florida has killed Chad Meredith, Robert Champion and Andrew Coffey while seriously injuring others. This case, with the victims requiring hospitalization, provide clear-cut examples of hazing’s danger,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “In Florida, hazing is abuse and it is a crime. Its victims too often lie in their graves and in hospital beds.”