UNR slaps fraternity with stiff sanctions

Friday, Sept. 19, 1997 | 4:47 a.m.

Seven members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon house face a variety of charges in the vandalism of $10,000 worth of rare trees and plants at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park.

Washoe County sheriff's deputies said the seven stole about 30 trees and plants Sept. 11 to decorate the fraternity house for a party with a tropical theme. They face charges of grand larceny, felony destruction of property, possession of stolen property and criminal conspiracy.

The fraternity was ordered on Friday to pay full restitution to the park, to make a formal apology and to perform 2,000 hours of community service. It also is forbidden to hold any social functions.

The conditions will remain in effect for two years and any deviation will cost the TKE chapter its charter with the university.

"Our people have done an exhaustive investigation of this matter, relative to disciplinary action against the fraternity," UNR President Joe Crowley said. "I believe the sanctions imposed on the house are both severe and appropriate."

One of the conditions requires apologies to the county parks department, the community and families who were donors of specific trees.

Park horticulturist Linda Nelson said many of the missing items were specimen trees, which are rare and hard to replace. Others were memorials given by family members who had lost a loved one.

Nelson said many of the trees and plants were ripped out of the ground, while others were stripped of all limbs and foliage.

Charges are pending against Aaron Shimmel, 18; Ryan Rich, 19; Carlos R. Espinoza, 18; Taylor Edgerton, 19; Tyler Ramsey, 20; and Travis Zangri, 18. The name of a 17-year-old juvenile was withheld.

The fraternity already has issued an apology and has promised restitution. The seven members who were arrested have been suspended from all chapter activity.