Damien Williams '01 will be arrested and charged with one count of arson, a Class A Felony, for his alleged involvement with an early morning fire at Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity on Dec. 9, 1999.
Williams, of Effort, Penn., is currently out of the state of New Hampshire. Hanover Police Detective Lieutenant Frank Moran said yesterday the police have made arrangements with his attorney for his eventual surrender.
The arson charge carries a penalty of up to $4,000 in fines and up to 15 years in the state prison. Moran said there is also room for a judge to include restitution for damages.
David O. Lopez '02 of Cherry Hill, N.J. and Brandon Purcell '00 of Mt. Kisko, N.Y. were arrested on Wednesday and charged with one count of misdemeanor criminal trespass in connection with the vandalism and fire at Chi Gam. They were released later that evening.
"It is my determination that there is no reason to believe that [Lopez and Purcell] were part of a conspiracy to commit or accomplice to the arson." Moran said.
Lopez and Purcell, if convicted, face up to a year in the House of Corrections, up to $2,000 in fines, and restitution for damages.
A total of four students have been charged in connection with the Dec. 9, 1999 incident on the first floor of the 7 Webster Avenue fraternity where citronella oil was poured on a table and ignited, causing $6,400 in damage.
Ross Fenderson '00 was arrested directly following the fire and charged with criminal trespass. He remains out on bail. He, Lopez, and Purcell are scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 25 in the Lebanon District Court.
Moran said that he has no reason to believe that there are others involved and no further charges are pending for the four students already implicated.
Associate Senior Dean of the College Dan Nelson would not comment on College disciplinary action specifically related to the case, but he said that all Dartmouth students are expected to comply with federal, state, and local laws and when they do not, the College is required to take action.
