Texas A&M

Frisco Texas A&M Student Dies During Sigma Nu Fraternity Party, 4 Arrested on Drug Charges: Police

Medical examiner to determine cause of death for 19-year-old Frisco student

Four people have been arrested on drug charges after a Texas A&M student from Frisco was found dead Saturday morning during a party at the Sigma Nu fraternity house, according to College Station police.

The student — identified Monday as 19-year-old Anton Gridnev by College Station police — was reportedly found unresponsive and not breathing during an all-night party at the fraternity house.

After someone noticed Gridnev's condition, police were called. Officers arrived at about 4:40 a.m. and noted the party was ongoing. CPR was performed and Gridnev was transported to College Station Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

After finding illegal narcotics at the home, College Station police obtained a search warrant and arrested four people for possession of illegal drugs and cited three others for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Those arrested were:

  • Michael Frymire, 20, of Dallas, charged with possession of a controlled substance (THC). If found guilty, Frymire faces 180 days to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
  • Samuel Patterson, 21,of Nacogdoches, charged with two counts of possession of controlled substance (LSD and Ecstasy). If found guilty, Patterson faces 180 days to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine for each charge.
  • Ty Robertson, 21, of Granbury, charged with possession of Marijuana. If found guilty, Robertson faces up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
  • Christian Sandford, 18, of Houston, charged with possession of Marijuana. If found guilty, Sandford faces up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Three others, Maxwell Gollop, of Bellaire; John Cain, of Houston; and Zachary Farmer, of Denton, were cited for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

"The investigation into this incident is active, with College Station Police Detectives’ primary focus being on the death Anton Gridnev. The narcotics seized during the search warrant and who was is possession of them is secondary," said College Station police in a statement Monday. "Detectives are working closely with the Brazos County District Attorney’s Office regarding potential additional charges."

While drugs were found at the party, police have not said what may have led to Gridnev's death. An autopsy has been ordered to determine what killed the student.

Gridnev graduated with honors from Heritage High School, said Frisco Independent School District administrators. He was a commended National Merit Scholar and competed on the academic decathalon team.

"What I remember of Anton is that he was an amazing musician," said Frisco neighbor Susan Baker. "He's a year older than my son. They were at the same middle school and, for a time, at the same high school."

"As a mother, I cried. Not only did he lose his life, but the four kids who were arrested and the other kids in that house are impacted foever. One decision changed their lives," Baker added. 

In a statement to NBC 5, Heritage High School Principal Mark Mimms said, "Anton Gridnev was a 2015 honor graduate of Heritage High School.  He was a valued member of our Academic Decathlon team and was an integral member of that team's success.  Anton had a lasting impact on the teachers who worked with him and he had a bright future ahead of him. Our faculty and staff feels the loss of one of our Coyote family."

Police said the incident remains under investigation and anyone with additional information should contact the College Station Police Criminal Investigation Division at 979-764-3600.

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