Three Clemson University fraternity brothers were charged with furnishing the alcohol that contributed to the overdose death of an 18-year-old freshman student, the Associated Press reported Jan. 31.

The misdemeanor charges were filed against the members of Sigma Nu even though victim Benjamin Garrison Sprague was not forced to drink and prosecutors determined that their actions did not directly lead to his death.

Sprague died after drinking at an off-campus party; an autopsy revealed that he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.38 percent when he died. "Ben made choices that night to consume alcohol, and he consumed alcohol in excess, and that led to his death," said prosecutor Chrissy Adams. "These boys made a mistake by providing the alcohol and having it available at a fraternity party to underage drinkers."

The Clemson chapter of Sigma Nu was suspended after Sprague's Dec. 9 death.

Student Jetin Patel, 19, was charged with using a fake ID to purchase beer, underage possession of beer, and transfer of beer to a person under 21. Matthew Rinckel, 20, was charged with transfer of beer and transfer of liquor to a person under 21. Addison Kerr, 21, was charged with transfer of liquor to a minor.