Prosecutors say more than a dozen Penn State fraternity members and associates were charged in an alleged cocaine trafficking operation run through two fraternities, where young pledges were pressured to cut and package the drugs before they were sold to students.
In all, 14 people were charged in connection with the alleged multistate drug network, including a Long Island native described by authorities as being at the “very top of the food chain.” Four of those charged are current Penn State students, nine are alumni, and one is a father, officials said.
According to prosecutors, the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities worked with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia to bring cocaine into the State College area, where it was distributed primarily to Penn State students.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement Monday.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
At a Monday press conference, Sunday singled out 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, of Westbury in Nassau County, saying he was “at the very top of the chain.”
Investigators said Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson — affiliated with Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, respectively — served as the alleged primary suppliers. Abbatiello repeatedly traveled to New York to obtain large amounts of cocaine between 2023 and 2024, authorities said.
Court documents allege Abbatiello continued distributing cocaine as recently as February 2026.
When he learned law enforcement was interviewing individuals about Penn State drug dealing, he reportedly “begged them not to talk about his involvement.”
The cocaine was cut and packaged primarily at the off-campus Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed mainly to Penn State students.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi, and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
A second Long Islander — Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset — is also charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
Also charged, with misdemeanors, are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman.
Paul Robinson, Thomas’ father, is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.
Penn State has since suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the frat and said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and opperates outside its supervision.
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
