San Diego State University frat members face charges after a pledge was set on fire during a party skit.

Last year, a skit at a party performed by four members of San Diego State University's Phi Kappa Psi fraternity resulted in a pledge being set on fire, leading to felony charges for the fraternity brothers.

On Feb. 17, the member who was set on fire during a skit suffered third-degree burns covering more than 16% of his body, according to prosecutors.

Four young men, including Lars Larsen, who was set on fire, were charged with at least one felony on Monday and all pleaded not guilty.

The defendants could face seven years in prison if convicted of recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiring to commit an act injurious to the public, and violating the social host ordinance.

The four charged were all either active members or pledges of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Cooper was the fraternity's president, Cowling was on the Pledge Board, and Serrano and Larsen were pledges, according to prosecutors.

Cowling was present when Larsen and Serrano, who were not of legal drinking age, consumed alcohol before the skit.

Over the past two years, at least half a dozen of the university's fraternities have been put on probation due to their involvement in activities that triggered investigations.

In 2021, the university investigated claims that a frat leader encouraged binge drinking among members, following the tragic death of a freshman who suffered a head injury after consuming alcohol with his fraternity the previous year.

Nearly a year ago, the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity was already on probation by the university for violating its policies on alcohol and hazing when the burning incident at the party occurred.

Prosecutors claim that the skit at the party featured Serrano lighting Larsen on fire.

Prosecutors claim that Cowling, Serrano, and Larsen planned the skit where Serrano set Larsen on fire, resulting in Larsen's hospitalization for weeks with severe burns, primarily on his legs.

According to prosecutors, after the incident, Cowling, Larsen, and Cooper lied to law enforcement investigating the incident, deleted evidence on social media, and instructed other fraternity members to delete evidence and not speak about what happened.

Four individuals were released from prison and directed to return to court on March 18 for a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 16.

In addition to being instructed not to attend any fraternity gatherings or recruitment functions, they were also required to adhere to alcohol regulations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.