Secret Service Agent, Paddles, and a Hazing Ritual That Nearly Ended in Death

A U.S. Secret Service agent and two other men were arrested on suspicion of brutally beating two fraternity pledges in Miami. One victim nearly died and suffered severe kidney damage, while the other required resuscitation.

A U.S. Secret Service agent, 29-year-old Markez Pinder, and two other men were arrested on suspicion of brutally beating two fraternity pledges in Miami during a hazing ritual that occurred last April. According to the indictment, the victims—a law student at the University of Miami and a local firefighter—were forced to sit in a semi-kneeling position while being repeatedly struck with paddles wrapped in electrical tape each time they gave incorrect answers about the fraternity's history. The abuse lasted four days and only stopped after one victim began bleeding through his clothes. The student was hospitalized with high fever, vomiting, and severe pain, suffered acute kidney damage, and required extensive skin grafts. The second victim sustained similar injuries and needed resuscitation. Pinder was jailed in Miami and charged with abuse, attempted manslaughter, and aggravated assault. The Secret Service is cooperating with the investigation. The incident adds to a series of serious disciplinary incidents within the agency in recent months.