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UI FIJI criminal case dismissed, ending years of litigation

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UI FIJI criminal case dismissed, ending years of litigation

A criminal harassment charge against a former University of Iowa fraternity brother has been dismissed, ending years of legal litigation over an alleged 2020 sexual assault.

Carson Steffen, 23, charged with first degree harassmentAn aggravated misdemeanor in 2021. The criminal complaint alleges that a person “engaged in a sexual act” shared Snapchat photos without permission in the early morning hours of September 5, 2020.

The complaint did not identify the alleged victim but listed an address that matched the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. The complaint stated that the incident occurred the same night as the alleged incident. Sexual assault on Makena Solberg. Solberg filed a civil lawsuit against Carson Steffen and Jacob Meloan in 2021.

Steffen was one of two former members of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity recently signed with Solberg. Brotherhood and Solberg too”A solution was reached in mediation” Solberg’s lawyer previously told the Press-Citizen.

Johnson County Prosecutor Rachel Zimmermann-Smith filed a motion on behalf of the state to dismiss the harassment charge. He wrote that Solberg submitted a written request to dismiss the case. Zimmermann-Smith also wrote that the criminal trial, which is scheduled to begin Dec. 3, could affect the previous settlement.

More: FIJI brother, fraternity and chapter reach ‘resolution’ in sexual assault case in 2020

Dismissal ended the case

Steffen’s dismissal final legal action in a pair of cases HE caused mayhem on campus Following sexual assault allegations appeared more than three years ago. Protesters gathered for hours outside the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house in 2021 and marched through the streets of Iowa City on back-to-back days demanding the group’s closure.

More: FIJI brother accused of sharing photos and videos of alleged sexual assault dismissed

In a separate civil lawsuit filed in 2022, fraternity member Broc Hawkins was accused of sharing images and videos he obtained after the alleged incident on September 5, 2020. Dismissed with prejudice in January.

Solberg settled or “reached a verdict” with all defendants in the original civil lawsuit: Steffen, Jacob Meloan, Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and the fraternity’s Mu Deuteron chapter. Details of each solution have not been made public.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at: [email protected] or @ryanhansen01 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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