Sacramento >> A criminal complaint has been filed in federal court against a Chico State University fraternity accused of vandalizing a campground in the Lassen National Forest.

The complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California accuses Pi Kappa Alpha and its president, Evan Jossey, with 32 violations of cutting or damaging timber, as well as possessing a firearm in violation of federal or state law, and conspiracy to commit an offense or defraud the United States.

The charges stem from an incident the weekend of April 21 at the Deer Creek trailhead campground, where trees were cut down during an initiation of pledges to the fraternity.

After the incident, and the publication of pictures on social media that seemed to implicate Pi Kappa Alpha, the fraternity denied the allegations of vandalism and said members were cooperating with the investigation.

Jossey and the fraternity have been ordered to appear in court June 26 in Redding.

The Tehama County Sheriff’s Office assisted with this investigation. Additional charges are expected at a later date.