Former University of Iowa FIJI brother’s trial delayed; lawsuit resolution possible

IOWA CITY — The criminal trial of a former University of Iowa student and fraternity brother arrested in connection with an alleged 2020 sexual assault, which was supposed to start this week, has been postponed pending a related civil trial.

That civil case — brought by a woman who said members of the UI Phi Gamma Delta chapter in September 2020 drugged, assaulted and recorded her before disseminating the photos and video among fellow fraternity brothers — is scheduled for trial Nov. 5 in Tama County after a change in venue was granted last year.

But, according to court documents seeking a continuance in Carson Steffen’s criminal trial on accusations of first-degree harassment for the alleged photo distribution, a resolution in the civil case could be coming.

“A related civil case is currently set for trial in November 2024, and the parties in that civil case are attempting to arrange mediation to resolve the issues in that case,” according to Steffen’s request. “Counsel believes that a delay in the criminal case will facilitate the potential resolution of the companion civil litigation.”

Makena Solberg, who identified herself in several lawsuits as a victim of sexual assault, said she went to Iowa City police with her allegations in 2020 but — after authorities didn’t initially pursue charges — went public about her experience in fall 2021.

Her social media posts captured widespread attention, sparking large and violent protests on the UI campus in September 2021, resulting in damage to the Phi Gamma Delta — known as FIJI — house and forcing its residents to relocate.

Several weeks after the protests — and more than a year after the alleged assault — Iowa City police arrested Steffen, now 23, on allegations of first-degree harassment for sending a photo to multiple people on Snapchat.

“This photo was of the victim engaged in a sex act with another male,” according to the police complaint. “The victim never gave consent to the dissemination of this photo.”

Solberg in November 2021 filed a lawsuit accusing Steffen, another former FIJI brother Jacob Meloan and the fraternity in her assault. In September 2022, she filed another separate lawsuit against a third former brother — which she later dropped.

And in August 2023, Meloan brought his own lawsuit — accusing 24 people of wrongful accusations, violating libel and slander laws. A judge earlier this year dismissed that case, ruling Meloan had “not properly served any defendant to this action.”

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That leaves just Steffen’s criminal case and Solberg’s original 2021 lawsuit pending — with both sides sparring over evidence and discovery, according to court filings in May.

“(Solberg) shall make reasonable efforts to locate all diary entries written on or before April 20, 2023, and all diary entries written from Jan. 30, 2024 through the date of this order,” a judge said May 16, in response to a defense request he intervene.

Given the delay in Steffen’s trial, he’s next due in Johnson County court July 15 for a case management conference.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com