The Orange County DA's office charged five members of a University of California, Irvine fraternity, namely Sigma Alpha Episilon (SAE) in connection with the alcohol poisoning death of a fellow under aged fraternity member after a party in January. Zavier Larenz Brown, now 21, Jonathan Anephi Vu, now 22, Mohamed Ibragim Kharaev, now 21, Caleb Gavin Valleroy, now 20, and Jonathan Gabriel Villicana, now 21, were all members of the SAE fraternity at UCI and were all on the lease of the off-campus fraternity house in Irvine.

SAE member Noah Domingo, 18, of Irvine, died on January 12, 2019 after drinking with members of his fraternity as part of SAE's “Big Brother Night.” Domingo had joined the fraternity several months prior, and Brown was Domingo's “Big Brother” at the fraternity. None of the defendants engaged in hazing in connection with Domingo's death.

Brown has been charged with one misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a minor causing great bodily injury. Vu has been charged with one misdemeanor count of furnishing an alcoholic beverage to a minor. Brown, Vu, Kharaev, Valleroy, and Villicana have all been charged with one misdemeanor count of violating the Irvine Municipal Code for allowing a party or gathering where underage drinking is permitted.

Brown faces a maximum of 18 months in jail if convicted on all counts. Kharaev, Vu, Valleroy, and! Villicana all face a maximum of six months in jail if convicted. 

The OCDA's office now wants to make the furnishing of alcohol to a minor that results in great bodily injury or death a felony.