Pennsylvania officials charge 14 in Penn State fraternity cocaine ring

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 individuals in connection with a cocaine-trafficking operation involving Penn State University students and two fraternities. The investigation, conducted by the State College Police Department and the 54th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, alleges that the operation functioned as a coordinated and profitable drug-trafficking crew.

Prosecutors identify Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as primary suppliers who allegedly traveled to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine. The drugs were reportedly cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed to students. According to investigators, the process of packaging cocaine was used as a form of indoctrination for some fraternity pledges.

Of the 14 defendants, 13 were students at or around the time of the alleged conduct in 2023 and 2024. The 14th defendant, the father of a student, faces charges for tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi, and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy, while other student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts for possession.