Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson announced today (April 29) that the Wood County Grand Jury returned indictments against several individuals in the death of Bowling Green State University student Stone Foltz.
Jacob Krinn faces felonious assault, first degree felony involuntary manslaughter, reckless assault and other charges. Krinn, like Foltz, was from Delaware, Ohio. Krinn and five other members of the Pi Kappa Alpha were indicted on third degree felony involuntary manslaughter and other charges. Two more are indicted on misdemeanor hazing and alcohol violations.
The indictments stem from an alleged Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity event the evening of March 4 at an off-campus house which Foltz was required to attend along with the other new members. A roommate later found Foltz unresponsive in his Bowling Green apartment. When first responders arrived, Foltz was not breathing and was being given CPR by his roommate.
Foltz was rushed to the Wood County Hospital and then transferred to Toledo Hospital, where he died on March 7. The Lucas County Coroner ruled the death an accident as the result of a fatal level of alcohol intoxication during a hazing incident.
On Wednesday, April 28, the grand jury indicted:
- Krinn, 20, of Delaware on charges of first degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Homicide, Felonious Assault, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Daylen Dunson, 20, of Cleveland, on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Tampering with Evidence, Obstructing Justice, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Troy Henricksen, 23, of Grove City, Ohio on charges of third degree felony involuntary Manslaughter, Reckless Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, Hazing, and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws.
- Canyon Caldwell, 21, of Dublin, Ohio on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Tampering with Evidence, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Niall Sweeney, 21, of Erie, Pennsylvania on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Jarrett Prizel, 19, of Olean, New York on charges of third degree felony Involuntary Manslaughter, Hazing, and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws.
- Aaron Lehane, 21, of Loveland, Ohio on charges of Tampering with Evidence, Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
- Benjamin Boyers, 21, of Sylvania, Ohio on charges of Hazing and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws.
Dobson said the misdemeanor charges against Boyers would be dismissed for the present time.
Most defendants were charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of Hazing, Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws, and Obstructing Official Business.
Some of the alcohol-related offenses involve providing alcohol to underage persons, while others reference permitting that activity at their residence.
The multiple counts of Hazing and Failure to Comply with Underage Alcohol Laws reflect the allegation that those defendants participated in providing copious amounts of alcohol to Foltz and the other new members.
First degree manslaughter alleges that the defendant caused a death by committing or attempting to commit a felony and carries a maximum penalty of 11 years in prison.
Third degree felony manslaughter alleges that the defendant caused a death by committing or attempting to commit a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, as do Reckless Homicide, Tampering with Evidence, and Obstructing Justice.
Felonious Assault alleges that the defendant caused serious physical harm to another. It is a second degree felony which carries a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.
Attorney Eric Long, counsel for Henricksen issued the following statement: “This is clearly a tragic matter; however, it is not being helped by the indictment of Troy Henricksen. The facts are clear, even at this early juncture that he is not criminally liable. I am confident that the court process will bear that out, hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Prosecutor Dobson thanked the Bowling Green Police Division for “their tireless and on-going investigation,” as well as the Bowling Green State University police and administration for their cooperation.
A statement was issued on behalf of the Foltz family from the law firm of Cooper Elliot following the announcement:
“We are grateful for all of the hard work conducted by local law enforcement and the Prosecutor’s office, and we are confident they will make sure justice is served. However, today is just one step in the right direction. Swift action also needs to be taken by government officials and university presidents nationwide to abolish fraternity hazing. We are living every parent’s worst nightmare and will not be at peace until fraternity hazing is seen for what it truly is — abuse. It’s unacceptable, and in Stone’s case, it was fatal. How many injuries and deaths will it take for people in positions of power to do the right thing? We demand zero tolerance. Anything less will result in additional innocent lives lost and parents like us pleading for change.”
Disciplinary hearings involving students involved are continuing at BGSU, and are expected to last through the summer, according to a statement earlier today.
