Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Seven may have cases dismissed
COLFAX - Fifteen members of Washington State University (WSU) fraternity Alpha Tao Omega are finished facing charges for providing alcohol to minors.
Nineteen-year-old Samuel Martinez died of alcohol poisoning in the basement of their frat house on Nov. 12, 2019, after he was provided alcohol.
Pullman police investigated the death and Whitman County prosecutors filed charges against 15 members.
"This case involving such a tragic death serves (as) a stark reminder of the dangers of binge drinking – especially by minors," stated Whitman County Deputy Prosecutor Lindsi Alcantar.
The final resolved case was against Wesley Oswald, 22, of Bellevue. He pleaded guilty to furnishing alcohol to minors and was sentenced to 19 days in jail and fined $500, according to Alcantar.
Seven members were charged with furnishing liquor to minors and pleaded guilty. They were each sentenced to one day in jail and a fine of $500.
"The remaining (seven) defendants have continued their cases until April 2022 and are under contract with the state to complete several requirements, if these requirements are met, their cases will be dismissed ... if not, they will face an expedited prosecution and sentencing," wrote Alcantar.
The following are the 15 fraternity members were charged:
• Finn W. Anderson, 21, of Pullman
• Joshua C. Entriken, 20, of Snoqualmie
• Griffin T. Fish, 21, of Bellevue
• Luke R. Hawksford, 22, of Sammamish
• Tyler T. W. Kim, 20, of Snoqualmie Pass
• Jack D. Kuske, 21, of East Wenatchee
• Jacob M. Lewis, 21, Liberty Lake
• Jeremy M. McAteer, 22, of Pullman, two counts
• Wesley O. Oswald, 22, of Bellevue, two counts
• Cole Z. Peterson, 22, of Sammamish
• Maxwell D. Rovegno, 21, of Snoqualmie
• Jaron C. Selset, 23, of Renton
• Garrett M. Smith, 21, of Pullman
• Cameron R, Thomas, 21, of Pullman
• Nolan J. Valcik, 20, of Pullman, two counts
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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