A Penn State student accused of playing a major role in an alleged campus cocaine trafficking network was stunned with a Taser and taken into custody after authorities say he resisted arrest — reportedly because he believed the police raid was nothing more than a fraternity prank, according to court records.
Thomas Robinson, 23, was charged with resisting arrest following the December 2024 encounter in State College, Pennsylvania. Court documents reviewed by NBC News say Robinson claimed he “thought the officers were his fraternity brothers playing a prank on him” before he was handcuffed.
Investigators said a search of Robinson’s room inside the Delta Upsilon fraternity house uncovered more than 8 grams of cocaine, nearly 8 ounces of marijuana, and over 200 amphetamine and dextroamphetamine pills, according to the criminal complaint.
The investigation was reportedly aided by a confidential informant, who told authorities that a man known by the nickname “T-Rob” was selling significant quantities of cocaine out of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity House, NBC News reported.
Court filings also allege that the suspected Penn State drug dealer accepted payments through a Venmo account using the handle “Tom-Robinson,” information the confidential informant provided to investigators.
Robinson faces charges tied to multiple alleged incidents between September and December 2024, including drug manufacturing and delivery, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
According to the court records, Robinson identified Agostino Abbatiello, a fellow Penn State student and Sigma Chi member, as a leading figure in the alleged operation who supplied him with cocaine.
It was not immediately known whether Robinson has entered a plea. Court documents show he is expected to return to court next month for a pretrial hearing.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Robinson works as a salesperson at “Kab Incorporated,” previously holding a position as a “laborer” at United States Steel Corporation.
Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, was implicated in the drug trafficking scandal alongside Thomas.
The older Robinson is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence in the case, including a safe stuffed with cash and drugs and obstructing the investigation, state prosecutors said.
The dad earned a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from New England School of Law in 1992, according to his company profile — and was treasurer for Delta Sigma Phi as an undergrad, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta while in law school, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Robinson was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, specializing in transportation, commercial, construction and insurance law.
He’s currently managing attorney at Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebeneck & Eck based in Pittsburgh.
Paul and Thomas Robinson reside in Churchill, a suburb of Pittsburgh.
Delta Upsilon has been placed on interim suspension following the fallout of the drug operation.
