A former Utah State University Sigma Nu fraternity member has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in connection with the November 2008 death of USU freshman Michael Starks, while prosecutors have dropped a charge against a former sorority member.

Grant Barney, 22, on Monday pleaded guilty to a class B misdemeanor charge of obstructing justice. A hazing charge against Barney was dismissed as part of a plea agreement, court records state. Barney is expected to be sentenced April 20 in 1st District Court in Cache County.

Starks, 18, died Nov. 21 after he was allegedly taken by sorority women who painted him and fed him vodka in the company of Sigma Nu fraternity and Chi Omega sorority members. Medical examiners later determined his blood alcohol level reached .373, more than four times the legal limit for driving.

Cache County prosecutors filed felony hazing charges against the two fraternities and misdemeanor charges against 12 of their members.

A misdemeanor hazing charge against one of those sorority members, 18-year-old Cecily Kiss, was dismissed March 5. Prosecutors were not available for immediate comment on why the charge was dismissed.