Ex-fraternity member pleads guilty to hazing an Arizona university pledge to death

A former leader of a Northern Arizona University fraternity pleaded guilty Monday to hazing and causing a pledge’s death by making him drink excessively at an off-campus rush event.

Carter Eslick, 20, entered the plea to a felony hazing charge involving the death of Colin Daniel Martinez, 18, in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff.

Under an agreement with prosecutors, Eslick would serve no more than four years of probation. A judge will determine the length and could also impose up to a year in jail at a Sept. 30 sentencing hearing.

Martinez, who was pledging to the now-defunct Delta Tau Delta fraternity chapter at NAU, was found unresponsive Jan. 31. An autopsy found his blood-alcohol level was 0.425%, which is considered life-threatening.

Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said the plea doesn't diminish the “profound harm caused or the sorrow of Colin's death.”

The Associated Press left an email and voicemail for Eslick's attorney, Burges McCowan, requesting comment on Monday. The AP also left a phone message with the attorney for Martinez's family.

Eslick was serving as the fraternity's pledge master at the time, responsible for welcoming new members. He's no longer a student at NAU. Martinez was among four men pledging to Delta Tau Delta who shared two bottles of vodka to ensure they vomited, according to court documents. Witnesses reported adjusting Martinez's sleeping position and checking his pulse and breathing to look for signs of alcohol poisoning throughout the night, the documents said.

The university suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity after Martinez's death, and the national organization closed the NAU chapter.

FILE - This booking photo provided by the Coconino County Sheriff's Office shows Carter Eslick, a leader of a Northern Arizona University fraternity who was arrested, Jan. 31, 2026, in the death of Colin Daniel Martinez. (Coconino County Sheriff's Office via AP, File)

FILE - A sign is displayed for the Northern Arizona University campus in Flagstaff, Ariz., Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey, File)

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo left Monday night's game against the Colorado Rockies before the fifth inning because of left knee soreness.

The 26-year-old Perdomo is one of the team's best players, batting .245 with nine homers, 42 RBIs and 17 stolen bases, all while playing excellent defense at shortstop. The 2023 All-Star has played in 116 of 120 games this season.

The D-backs were leading 7-0 when Perdomo left the game. He was replaced by Ildemaro Vargas.

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Arizona Diamondbacks' Geraldo Perdomo watches his two-run single off Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Tim Herrin during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages (44) steals second base under the tag by Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug 8, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)