Pennsylvania prosecutors charged 14 people in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation tied to Penn State University students and two fraternities, with a grand jury presentment alleging that fraternity pledges helped cut and package bulk cocaine for distribution.
Thirteen of the defendants were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged conduct in 2023 and 2024, and at least four are current students. The 14th defendant is the father of one of the students, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday (R) said Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson served as the operation’s main suppliers, regularly obtaining large quantities of cocaine from Philadelphia and New York. Investigators allege the drugs were cut and packaged primarily at the off-campus Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and distributed mainly to Penn State students.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities,” Sunday said in an August 17 news release.
Grand Jury Describes Bulk Cocaine Purchases
The grand jury presentment alleges Robinson bought cocaine from Abbatiello in increasingly large quantities, including 500 grams for $18,000 and one kilogram for $22,000.
A photo on Robinson’s phone dated March 19, 2024, showed several Delta Upsilon pledges assisting Robinson with packaging cocaine into smaller baggies for distribution, according to the presentment. The document also says several pledges were used to package another cocaine purchase into half-gram bags for sale.
Lars Zeepvat, a Sigma Chi fraternity brother charged in the case, testified that Abbatiello would bring cocaine to Sigma Chi and have fraternity brothers and pledges help prepare and package it for resale, according to the presentment. Zeepvat also told the grand jury that Abbatiello was purchasing about 100 grams of cocaine from a New York source every three to six weeks.
The presentment says Abbatiello continued distributing cocaine among friends as recently as February 2026. He surrendered Tuesday morning after failing to appear for a scheduled arraignment Monday, and a district judge denied him bail, according to the attorney general’s office.
Abbatiello, Robinson and two other defendants face charges including felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and related offenses. A fifth defendant faces felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, while eight others face misdemeanor possession and paraphernalia counts.
Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father, faces felony tampering and hindering apprehension charges for allegedly taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.
Penn State, Fraternities Respond
Penn State placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension after the charges were announced and said it would review the fraternity through its organizational conduct process. The university said Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and operates outside Penn State’s support and oversight.
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” Vice President for Student Affairs Andrea Dowhower said in a university statement. Penn State said it would cooperate with law enforcement and pursue separate student conduct proceedings for current students.
Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said people accused in the case with ties to Delta Upsilon had been expelled or suspended if they had not resigned. Sigma Chi Executive Director Michael Church said the three charged members had been suspended and the chapter’s operations were placed on interim suspension, The Associated Press reported.
The charges remain allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Provided by Dallas Express
