Frat members at San Diego State University have been charged after setting a pledge on fire during a skit at a party

Four members San Diego State University The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity faces criminal charges after a skit performed at a party last year set a pledge ablaze.

The member who was set on fire suffered third-degree burns covering more than 16% of his body as a result of the skit performed on February 17, prosecutors said.

Caden Cooper, 22; Lucas Cowling, 20; Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19, were each charged Monday with at least one felony, and all four have pleaded not guilty. Larsen was the one who was set on fire.

Charges include recklessly causing fire and great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act harmful to the public and violating the Social Host Law. If convicted of all charges, the defendants could face up to seven years in prison.

Florida fraternity brother with brain damage from hazing sends life-saving warning to future Greeks

All four defendants were either active members or pledges of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Cooper was president of the fraternity and Cowling was a member of the pledge board, while Serrano and Larsen were pledges, prosecutors said.

Larsen and Serrano, who were not of legal drinking age, also drank alcohol before the skit in Cowling’s presence.

In recent years, the university’s fraternities have engaged in activities that have led to investigations, with at least six fraternities placed on probation in the past two years, according to the university.

In 2020, the university investigated allegations that a group leader promoted blackout drinking. It came a year after the death of a freshman who fell from a bunk bed and fractured his skull after drinking with his brothers the night before.

The Phi Kappa Psi fraternity already existed Testing by the university for violating its alcohol and harassment policies when the arson incident occurred at the party nearly a year ago.

The party included a skit that included Serrano setting Larsen on fire, according to prosecutors.

Cowling, Serrano and Larsen planned the skit in which Serrano set Larsen on fire, according to prosecutors. Larsen remained in the hospital for weeks with third-degree burns, mostly to his legs.

After the incident, Cowling, Larsen, and Cooper lied to law enforcement Investigation into the accidentHe deleted evidence on social media and told other fraternity members to delete the evidence and not talk to anyone about what happened, according to prosecutors.

OLE MISS FRATERNITY has been suspended due to contradictory claims after the videos surfaced

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The four were released from jail and ordered to return to court on March 18 to prepare for their preliminary hearing scheduled for April 16.

They were also ordered not to participate in any frat parties or recruitment events and to follow alcohol laws.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.