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More than a dozen current and former Pennsylvania State University students have been charged in connection with an alleged drug trafficking ring that authorities say operated in and around two fraternities, prosecutors announced Aug. 17.
The alleged operation involved members of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. Prosecutors said large quantities of cocaine were transported from Philadelphia and New York to State College, Pennsylvania, from 2023 to 2024.
The drugs were mainly cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed to Penn State students, according to prosecutors. An investigation identified Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as the operation’s primary suppliers, who Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday described as “the top of the chain” and senior members of the two fraternities.
Abbatiello and Robinson were among 14 people charged in the alleged cocaine trafficking operation, prosecutors said. The only person not a current or former Penn State student was Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father.
“We did not hear of any drug packaging happening on Penn State’s campus,” Sunday said at a news conference. “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.”
Prosecutors: Drug operation centered on fraternity members and pledges
Thirteen of the people charged were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, and at least four of those are current students, according to prosecutors.
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, prosecutors said. Another student, Robert Zanolla, faces felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility charges, while eight others were charged with misdemeanor drug possession and paraphernalia offenses.
Prosecutors accused Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson of making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large amounts of cocaine.
“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 fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
Prosecutors said investigators used various techniques to track the alleged operation, including monitoring how the cocaine was obtained, processed and sold. Many transactions were allegedly conducted in cash or through payment applications.
Paul Robinson was charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension. Prosecutors alleged he took steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructed the investigation.
Penn State University ‘horrified’ by drug trafficking allegations
In a statement released Aug. 17, Penn State said it was “horrified” by allegations that current and former students were involved in a cocaine trafficking operation connected to the off-campus fraternities Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon. The university said it is cooperating with law enforcement and condemned any criminal activity or hazing tied to the allegations.
The school announced it is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while its Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response conducts an investigation. Current students charged in the case will be subject to the student conduct process while Delta Upsilon will also face review under the school’s organizational conduct procedures, according to the university.
The university also noted that Sigma Chi is not a recognized Penn State organization and operates outside the university’s oversight.