Rugby Player Branded, Waterboarded In Hazing At VT College: Reports

NORTHFIELD, VT — Police are investigating accusations of hazing at a historical military college in Vermont after members of the women's rugby team were branded with pliers and subjected to waterboarding, according to reports.

Police executed search warrants at a Norwich University residence hall on Friday after the school reportedly refused to fully cooperate with the investigation, the Barre Montpelier Times Argus reported.

Northfield police Chief John Helfant confirmed to The Associated Press that the police activity was connected to the investigation into allegations of hazing involving "branding and waterboarding of and by NU students."

Northfield Officer Karie Tucker said in an affidavit that she went to the school on March 20 for a report of someone being held at knifepoint, the Times Argus reported. Tucker said she spoke to the woman — a member of the rugby team — two days later. The woman told Tucker she was “branded” using pliers and a lighter by other members of the rugby team, according to the Times Argus.

After getting permission, Tucker went through the victim’s cell phone and found what was described as a video of another woman with a washcloth held over her face while a third woman poured liquid onto the cloth, The AP reported. Tucker later described the act as “waterboarding,” according to court records.

Helfant told the AP that university officials denied authorities access to students in their dorm rooms and would only allow police to talk to students in a conference room. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the university said the school is cooperating with law enforcement.

The investigation into the allegations is ongoing.