Penn State Students Face Charges in Cocaine Trafficking Case

Fourteen people, most of them Penn State University students, have been charged in what Pennsylvania authorities described as a multistate cocaine operation centered on off-campus fraternity houses in State College.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges Monday at a news conference in State College. Investigators said large amounts of cocaine were transported from Philadelphia and New York to State College between 2023 and 2024, then cut, packaged and sold primarily to Penn State students.

Authorities identified Agostino Abbatiello, 24, of Westbury, New York, and Thomas Robinson, 23, of Pittsburgh, as leaders of the operation. Investigators said Abbatiello and Robinson were senior members of the off-campus fraternities Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, respectively.

“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Sunday said in a news release, according to CBS News. “In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”

At Monday’s news conference, Sunday said the drugs were primarily packaged at the fraternity houses by both fraternity brothers and pledges. He said some pledges cut and bagged cocaine as part of their initiation.

“We did not hear of any drug packaging happening on Penn State’s campus,” Sunday said. “Again, the packaging happened at off-campus fraternity houses. And the actual drug dealing was largely from friend to friend, fraternity brother to fraternity brother, acquaintance to acquaintance and at fraternity houses and/or during parties or social engagements.”

Thirteen of those charged were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged trafficking operation, prosecutors said. The only person charged who was not a Penn State student was Paul Robinson, 59, the father of Thomas Robinson. Investigators accused him of concealing evidence by stashing drugs and cash in a safe and obstructing the investigation. CBS News reported that Paul Robinson is charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension.

Abbatiello, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat were charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and other related offenses. Robert Zanolla was charged with felony conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility and other related misdemeanors.

Eight other students — Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman — were charged with misdemeanor counts of drug possession and paraphernalia.

Sunday said charges against the 14 suspects were filed Monday. All of the suspects were arraigned Monday morning except Abbatiello, and a warrant was issued for his arrest, according to NBC News.

“With regard to parents that might be watching this and thinking about what’s happening at the school, I just want to say this. There is no city, county, community that exists that doesn’t have to deal with issues such as drug use, drug dealing, addiction and things of that nature,” Sunday said. “This is something that occurs all throughout our country and all throughout the world. And that being said, we take it very, very seriously. Which is why we conducted this investigation. Which is why we filed the charges we filed. And I will say that not only have we filed these charges but I promise you that we will be watching.”

Penn State said Delta Upsilon was placed on interim suspension while the school’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates. The university said Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and operates outside Penn State’s support and oversight.