Another student arrested in theft

Heather Harper and Kati Jividen

A second ISU student was arrested Monday afternoon for his part in the vandalism of the Christian Petersen “Ring of Life” sculpture. Department of Public Safety officials charged Quincy Jones, sophomore in construction engineering, with first-degree criminal mischief and theft. He was taken to the Story County Jail where he is being held on $40,000 cash bond. Jones, a member of Theta Xi, was arrested about 4 p.m. at the fraternity house, 315 Welch Ave., said Gene Deisinger, DPS captain of special operations. “We’ve known about his involvement since early on,” he said. “We’ve spent the last several days continuing our investigation to clarify exactly what his role was. We believe he was involved in assisting the commission of the crimes.” Quincy and fellow Theta Xi member Nick Johnson, senior in management information systems, have been charged with stealing one of the child-statue heads Sept. 14 from the sculpture in the south entrance of MacKay Hall. The head, broken into six pieces, was found Sept. 19 in the first-floor men’s bathroom of LeBaron Hall. Johnson was arrested and charged with criminal mischief and theft that day. He was taken to the Story County Jail and released on 0 percent bond. He will not have to post bond unless he doesn’t show up for his court date, authorities said. Bill Ogier, president of Theta Xi, said the fraternity’s judicial board will meet Sunday to discuss the immediate suspension of Jones and Johnson. “They acted completely without encouragement from the house or its members,” Ogier said Monday evening. “It came as a total shock to our house. Nick was a straight-arrow guy who led our house through tough times. Then this pops up a year and a half later, and to find out Quincy is involved, it’s just like, `Wow.'” Ogier said he knew Jones had been questioned by DPS regarding his involvement in the crime, but Jones never said anything to the fraternity members. Johnson has not contacted any of the members since he was released from jail, Ogier said. “It’s just horrible,” he said about the men’s involvement. “Theta Xi doesn’t condone the action that they may have taken part in. I hate to be accusatory until the court makes their decision -ÿI have opinions, but I shouldn’t judge people. If they’re guilty, they made a decision that is detrimental to their membership in our fraternity.” Ogier said Jones lives in the fraternity house and Johnson does not. The judicial board also will review Jones’ living situation. Brian Tenclinger, director of greek affairs and assistant dean of students, said the fraternity is taking care of the problem within the chapter. “It’s two individuals who decided to do a criminal act, and they should be treated as two individuals,” he said. “This shouldn’t reflect on the greek community.” Tenclinger said the fraternity has done a good job handling the situation. “They’ve decided to let the court and university handle it first,” he said. “Then they will discipline them within the house if that means expulsion or a conduct review. It’s very unfortunate this had to happen.”