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University of Arizona Fraternity Sexual Assault Allegation

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University of Arizona Fraternity Sexual Assault Allegation: Arizona Survivors Do Not Have to Face This Alone

The University of Arizona community is facing serious allegations after a sorority member reported that she was sexually assaulted by two men at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house in Tucson in late August 2026. The University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) and the university are both investigating. The student has not been publicly identified, and as of October 22, 2026, no charges have been filed.

At Montoya, Lucero & Pastor, P.A., our thoughts are with the young woman at the center of this case. Coming forward takes courage, and no survivor should have to navigate what comes next alone.

Details Emerge on the Investigation

According to a UAPD search warrant filed in Pima County Superior Court, the alleged assault happened at the fraternity house on East 1st Street late on August 25 or early on August 26. The student told investigators she had been drinking with friends and consensually kissed one fraternity member while another member tried to record them. She says she later woke up in a dark room with two men sexually assaulting her, and that she does not remember being asked for, or giving, consent.

She reported the assault to UAPD later that day and underwent a sexual assault forensic exam at Banner – University Medical Center, which showed possible signs of strangulation. In a recorded call two days later, one of the men said the encounter was consensual and denied that a second man was involved.

UAPD says the investigation is ongoing, and the Pima County Attorney's Office says the case has not yet been referred for prosecution. Sigma Phi Epsilon's national organization says it has suspended the members involved. The allegations surfaced just weeks after the university suspended activities at all 21 of its fraternities over reports of assault, hazing, and drug and alcohol misconduct. Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Survivors Do Not Have to Go Through the Process Alone

In most campus sexual assault cases, a survivor faces two investigations at once. Police gather evidence and send the case to the county attorney, who decides whether to file criminal charges. At the same time, the university runs its own Title IX and student conduct investigation, which can lead to discipline and protections for the survivor. Each has its own rules, interviews, and deadlines, and survivors are often asked to retell the worst night of their lives again and again.

Montoya, Lucero & Pastor, P.A. helps survivors navigate an already difficult process and ensure that all of the facts and evidence are properly investigated. Our attorneys can attend interviews with police or university staff, push to preserve evidence such as texts, videos, and forensic exam results, request protections like no-contact orders and housing or class changes, and protect your privacy along the way. Digital evidence can disappear quickly, so acting early matters.

Standing With Victims in the Criminal Justice System

If this case is referred for prosecution, it would be handled by the Pima County Attorney's Office in Tucson. Under Arizona's Victims' Bill of Rights, crime victims generally have the right to be treated with fairness and dignity, to attend and be heard at key court proceedings, to refuse a defense interview, to confer with the prosecutor, and to receive restitution.

Our team includes former prosecutors who know how sexual assault cases are built. If there are criminal charges, we stand ready to help victims of crime navigate the criminal justice system and make sure their voices are heard. Survivors may also have civil claims against those whose negligence allowed an assault to happen. Claims against public entities in Arizona, including state universities, generally require a notice of claim within 180 days, so speaking with a lawyer early protects your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has anyone been charged in the University of Arizona fraternity case?

Not as of October 22, 2026. UAPD says the investigation is ongoing, and the Pima County Attorney's Office says the case has not been referred for prosecution.

What is the difference between a police investigation and a Title IX investigation?

A police investigation can lead to criminal charges filed by the county attorney. A Title IX investigation is run by the school and can lead to discipline and protections for the survivor. Both can happen at the same time.

Do you help sexual assault survivors outside Phoenix?

Yes. Montoya, Lucero & Pastor, P.A. is based in Phoenix and represents sexual assault survivors throughout Arizona, including Tucson and Pima County.

Contact an Arizona Sexual Assault Attorney Today

Whether you are a student in Tucson, Tempe, Flagstaff, or anywhere else in Arizona, you do not have to face this alone. If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted, Montoya, Lucero & Pastor, P.A. provides compassionate, aggressive advocacy for survivors of sexual abuse. Se habla español.

Call our firm today at (602) 483-6869 or fill out our online form to schedule a confidential consultation. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For confidential support 24/7, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.

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