A former fraternity leader at Northern Arizona University (NAU) was sentenced on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, to 60 days in jail for his role in a hazing incident that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old student. Carter Eslick, 20, also received three years of supervised probation during the hearing in Coconino County Superior Court.
The sentencing follows a plea agreement in which Eslick pleaded guilty to felony hazing. The case originated from a hazing event involving an NAU pledge who died from alcohol poisoning. Court records and pool reports indicated that Eslick was fingerprinted following the judge's order in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Photographs from the sentencing hearing showed Eslick appearing in court alongside his attorney, Burges McCowan. During the proceedings, the court addressed the details of the hazing that led to the student's death.
The sentencing affects the university community at Northern Arizona University and the family of the 18-year-old student who died. The legal outcome establishes a penalty for a student leader involved in hazing. For students at NAU, this serves as a reminder of the legal risks associated with fraternity activities that violate state hazing laws.
The incident involved one fatality and the criminal prosecution of a fraternity leader. While the exact number of fraternity members present during the event was not reported, the legal consequences for Eslick include 60 days of incarceration and 36 months of supervision.
Following this sentencing, Eslick was ordered to begin his jail term by the Coconino County Superior Court. Further legal or civil actions involving other fraternity members or the university were not reported as having specific upcoming court dates.