Manatee County man charged in FSU student’s hazing death

A Manatee County man was one of nine Florida State University students charged in connection with the death of a fraternity pledge after a night of drinking last year.

Andrew Coffey, 20, died from alcohol poisoning after a “big-little” night with Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members and other pledges on the night of Nov. 2. He was found lying on a couch in the off-campus house where the party was held. His blood alcohol level was .447 at the time of his autopsy, according the medical examiner.

Tallahassee police announced Tuesday that Luke E. Kluttz, 22, Clayton M. Muehlstein, 22, Brett A. Birmingham, 20, Conner R. Ravelo, 21, Christopher M. Hamlin, 20, Anthony Petagine, 21, Kyle J. Bauer, 21, Anthony “AJ” Oppenheimer, 21 and John B. “Jack” Ray, 21, were charged with college hazing causing injury or death, a third-degree felony.

Ray is from Manatee County.

Ray was vice president of the fraternity chapter and was described in interviews with investigators as being one of the people “in charge” of the party the night of Nov. 2, according to the probable cause affidavit. Investigators wrote in the affidavit that Ray “directly and indirectly pressured or coerced the underage pledges to consume alcohol.”

The party that turned fatal was a way to introduce pledges to their “big brothers” within the fraternity that included drinking large amounts of alcohol. Pledges and fraternity members met at an off-campus home after using ride-hailing applications to get to the location of the party.

Two of the students facing charges, Kluttz and Oppenheimer stayed sober to monitor the party, according to the affidavit. Bauer was identified as a leader over the new pledge class.

Ravelo was identified in the affidavit as Coffey’s “big,” and used a fake ID to purchase alcohol for the party and Coffey, which included a 750 ml bottle of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon. He told investigators Coffey drank the entire bottle before he passed out.

Ravelo and two other fraternity members carried a passed out Coffey from a futon on the porch to the couch. He later left the home, leaving Coffey there. Others there told officials Coffey was snoring loudly. Hours later, Coffey was found dead by a fellow pledge. Phone records showed the pledge reached out to five fraternity members before calling for help.

Investigators found 16 liquor bottles, dozens of empty beer bottles, two-liter soda bottles and cups at the scene.

All nine students charged in Coffey’s death turned themselves in to authorities Wednesday and posted $2,500 in bail before being released, according to court records

They are barred from consuming alcohol and are subject to random alcohol screenings are just some of the conditions of their release, according to the affidavit.

“This collaborative investigation was critical to finding answers for Andrew Coffey’s family and our community. Hopefully, this investigation and its outcome will prevent another tragedy from occurring,” Tallahassee Police Chief Michael J. DeLeo said in a statement.

Florida State University President John Thrasher said in a statement “these arrests are the first step in seeking justice for Andrew and his loved ones, and they will inform us on where we need to place our focus as we proceed. ... We hope all members and alumni of our Greek organizations are paying attention.”

FSU suspended fraternities and sororities three days after Coffey’s death and officials have not announced when or if the organizations will be reinstated. The FSU chapter of Pi Kappa Phi was closed by the fraternity’s national office.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

This story was originally published January 18, 2018 at 11:55 AM with the headline "Manatee County man charged in FSU student’s hazing death."