Six arrests made in death of Kendall Park teen

Police from Newark, Del., arrested six men on charges stemming from an incident of alcohol poisoning that resulted in the death of a Kendall Park man.

The Newark Police Department announced last week that all of the suspects are fraternity members or pledges, and police noted in a press release that their charges do not imply direct culpability in the death of Brett Griffin.

The 18-year-old Griffin was a student at the University of Delaware and died at a fraternity party Nov. 8. The South Brunswick Township High School graduate was pledging Sigma Alpha Mu when he died at a home off campus at 28 Annabelle St. in Newark. No signs of trauma were found on his body.

Police were dispatched to the house at 2:52 a.m., when the college freshman was in cardiac arrest. Medical personnel were unable to revive him.

Police arrested and charged Michael J. Bassett, 20, of Great Neck, N.Y., with providing alcohol to a minor, conspiracy in the third degree, criminal solicitation in the third degree, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to deliver marijuana and maintaining a dwelling for drugs. Lt. Brian Henry, of the Newark Police Department, said the latter two charges are felonies and the rest are misdemeanors.

Police executed a search warrant at the residence on the day of the incident, recovering illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia from Bassett's locker drawer. Police seized 120 grams of marijuana, cash, a scale, smoking paraphernalia, plastic baggies and a list of people who appeared to owe money to Bassett. After an initial appearance in court, he was released on a $5,100 unsecured bond.

Henry said the investigation revealed that Bassett, and another social chair in the fraternity named Travis Fiume, allegedly collected money from fraternity members for the purpose of buying alcohol. Fiume, a 20-year-old Closter, N.J. resident, then reportedly went with an unidentified 21-yearold individual to purchase alcohol, which they allegedly brought back to their party guests, some of whom were under the age of 21.

Police arrested and charged Fiume with providing alcohol to a minor, conspiracy in the third degree and criminal solicitation in the third degree. He was released on a $3,000 unsecured bond after his initial court appearance.

Police arrested and charged Justin Seenev, 20, of White Plains, N.Y., with underage possession of alcohol and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police reportedly recovered a bud grinder used to process marijuana and an opened bottle of Jack Daniel's-brand whiskey from Seenev's bedroom. He was released on a $2,000 unsecured bond after his initial appearance in court.

Police arrested and charged Michael J. Ciccarelli, 20, of Bellmore, N.Y., with underage possession of alcohol. Police found beer in his bedroom while executing the search warrant and he was released on $100 unsecured bond after his initial court appearance.

Police arrested and charged Joseph Ciarletta, 19, of the Bronx, N.Y., with underage consumption of alcohol. Police reported that Ciarletta was present at 28 Annabelle St. at the time that they executed the search warrant.

Ciarletta allegedly exhibited signs of having consumed alcohol at the scene, since he reportedly had an odor of alcoholic beverage, his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. He was released on a $100 unsecured bond after an initial court appearance.

Police arrested and charged Henry Vieluf, 19, of Blauvelt, N.Y., with possession of drug paraphernalia after police reportedly recovered a bud grinder and a hollow metallic cigarette in his bedroom. He was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond after an initial court appearance.

Henry said that the University of Delaware plans to take the proper action after an administrative investigation is completed. Anyone with additional information on Griffin's death should contact Newark Police Cpl. Andrew Rubin at 302-366-7110 ext. 457 or at Andrew.Rubin@cj.state.de.us.

Contact Michael Acker at

macker@gmnews.com.