A Michigan State University student intends to sue the institution, the Theta Chi fraternity and another student in connection to an alleged sexual assault committed against her at a formal event of the fraternity last February.
The student, Sophia Mac, an 18-year-old freshman at the time, was given a “date rape drug and alcohol” while attending a formal event at the fraternity on Feb. 9, 2024, according to a notice of a claim filed on Jan. 22, 2025, and obtained by The State News through a public records request. During that event, Mac was allegedly sexually assaulted by another MSU student, Connor Geer, the notice of a claim said.
Geer, in a statement, said he denies the allegations.
Theta Chi does not have a president currently listed on MSU’s webpage naming the presidents of fraternities that are registered student organizations.
The fraternity does, however, have an active Instagram account. The State News did not receive a response to two direct messages sent to that account seeking comment for this story. The State News also contacted Nolan Thompson, who is listed in the account’s most recent post from Feb. 10 as the president of the fraternity, but did not receive a response.
Theta Chi is currently under interim suspension by MSU in connection to an act of hazing that was captured on video and circulated online in November.
The notice of a claim says MSU violated the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act for sexual discrimination by “allowing a hostile educational environment” and that the sexual assault allegedly committed against Mac was “directly related to the grossly negligent actions and inactions” of the university.
MSU did not respond to a request for comment.
Geer, in his statement, maintained his innocence and suggested that a criminal investigation of this case has been dropped, though Mac’s attorney suggested otherwise.
“I am shocked and surprised that this story is being run,” Geer said. “I considered this matter closed after the prosecutor’s office investigated over the course of many months and ultimately declined to press charges against me. I cooperated with the investigation knowing I did not do the things I was accused of.”
He added, “The running of this article, which is based on unfounded allegations, feels like trial by news story and social media.”
Mac’s attorney, Jeffrey Hart, said the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office has, “in our opinion, delayed bringing charges against the assailant even with clear evidence of male DNA found in our client’s undergarments and other direct physical evidence.”
Hart added that the East Lansing Police Department has indicated to him that “charges are coming shortly” and that he was advised by Sgt. Nicole Mitchell “moments ago that the judge approved the DNA search warrant for assailants DNA.” (Mitchell is one of several ELPD detectives and officers listed by the notice of a claim as a witness.)
The State News reached out to ELPD for comment. In response, Lieutenant Adrian Ojerio declined to comment on the case, saying in a statement that the department “recognizes that the release of information to the media before a case is finalized could damage a criminal case or taint a jury pool.”
“The case is at the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office,” Ojerio said.
Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office Community Outreach Coordinator Scott Hughes declined to say whether the office intends to bring charges against Geer.
“We can confirm that it is not currently being prosecuted and has not been filed,” Hughes said.
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