The Joseph Gaya hazing case ended on November 5, 2025, when a Johnson County judge dismissed the single misdemeanor charge against him after his defense attorneys argued that police bodycam footage contradicted the arresting officer’s written account. Gaya, a 22-year-old from Riverdale, Iowa, had been the only person criminally charged in connection with the November 2024 Alpha Delta Phi hazing incident at the University of Iowa, even though he was not a student and did not live at the fraternity house.1KCRG. Charges Dropped for Man Arrested in University of Iowa Hazing Incident
Why Gaya Was Arrested
In the early hours of November 15, 2024, University of Iowa police, Iowa City police, and firefighters responded to a false fire alarm at the Alpha Delta Phi house at 703 North Dubuque Street. In the basement, officers found 56 male pledges blindfolded, some shirtless, and covered in ketchup, mustard, beer, and water.2WHO13. Body Camera Video Released in University of Iowa Fraternity Hazing Incident
Gaya, then 21, was inside the house when police arrived. According to the criminal complaint filed by University of Iowa Police Department Officer Brad Millikan, Gaya blocked the doorway to the basement and refused to move despite repeated instructions.3Iowa City Press-Citizen. Alpha Delta Phi Hazing Interference Case The complaint also alleged Gaya stood in front of two witnesses in a separate room and told them not to speak with police, and that he told officers, “You can [expletive] leave, how about that.”4CBS2 Iowa. 21-Year-Old Charged With Interference With Official Acts in UI Hazing Incident He was eventually asked to leave by fraternity members. Police charged him with one count of interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor. Reporting on the case did not explain why Gaya was at the house that night.
How the Case Was Dismissed
As the case moved toward a jury trial, defense attorneys Daniel Vondra and Brianna Potts filed a motion for judgment of acquittal. Their argument was straightforward: the body-worn camera footage did not match Officer Millikan’s complaint.
Where the complaint said Gaya refused to move from the doorway despite police instructions, Vondra said the footage showed officers never told Gaya to step away. In fact, according to Vondra, the video showed police had told Gaya to stay in the doorway while they directed others to clean up.3Iowa City Press-Citizen. Alpha Delta Phi Hazing Interference Case Vondra also argued that Gaya never used force against officers, never threatened them, and never caused officers to use force, which are elements required under Iowa’s interference statute.1KCRG. Charges Dropped for Man Arrested in University of Iowa Hazing Incident
Vondra called the UIPD’s reporting “straight up lies” and said Officer Millikan’s conduct was “not acceptable,” urging that the officer be retrained.3Iowa City Press-Citizen. Alpha Delta Phi Hazing Interference Case Nothing in the reporting indicates a formal disciplinary review of the officer followed.
The judge took the acquittal motion under advisement. The next morning, the Johnson County Attorney’s office made an oral motion to dismiss, and the case was dismissed on November 5, 2025.5The Daily Iowan. Charges Dropped in UI Fraternity Hazing Case
Gaya’s Statement
After the dismissal, Gaya said: “This past year has been challenging, but I’m thankful the case was dismissed and the truth was recognized. I deeply appreciate the time, effort, and dedication my attorneys, Dan Vondra and Brianna Potts, put into resolving this case. I’m looking forward to putting this behind me and focusing on the future.”1KCRG. Charges Dropped for Man Arrested in University of Iowa Hazing Incident
No One Was Charged With Hazing
Gaya was the only person criminally charged over the November 2024 incident, and his was not a hazing charge. Despite 56 blindfolded pledges being found in the basement, no fraternity member was charged with hazing or any other offense. Campus police confirmed they completed their criminal investigation without filing additional charges.6Iowa City Press-Citizen. University of Iowa Continuing to Investigate Alleged Alpha Delta Phi Hazing Incident Under Iowa Code § 708.10, basic hazing is a simple misdemeanor, rising to a serious misdemeanor if serious bodily injury results.7Iowa Legislature. Iowa Code § 708.10
The consequences for Alpha Delta Phi were institutional rather than criminal. The University of Iowa placed the chapter on interim suspension within a day of the incident and formally suspended it in May 2025 for four academic years, effective until at least July 1, 2029. The Office of Student Accountability found the fraternity responsible for hazing, misconduct on organizational property, and failure to comply.8University of Iowa. Action Summary 2024-2025
The Viral Bodycam Video
The footage that helped end Gaya’s case became public in February 2026. The video, which originated from discovery in his criminal proceeding, was posted to X and YouTube and drew nearly 20 million views. CNN reported on the release on February 20, 2026.9CNN. Alleged Hazing Body Cam University of Iowa10KRCR. Nearly 20M Views: Bodycam Shows 56 Shirtless Pledges in Iowa Frat Basement The clip shows officers entering the basement and finding the blindfolded, shirtless pledges covered in the mix of condiments and liquid described in the original complaint.