Penn State fraternities implicated in cocaine trafficking ring, 14 charged

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Monday that 14 people have been charged in connection with a cocaine-trafficking ring that involved members of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities at Penn State University. Investigators identified Agostino Abbatiello, a Sigma Chi member from Westbury, New York, and Thomas Michael Robinson, a Delta Upsilon member from Pittsburgh, as the alleged leaders who compelled other fraternity members and pledges to package cocaine between 2023 and 2024 before selling it to students.

The indictment also includes three alleged drug dealers, eight current or former students, and one non-student, Paul Robinson, the father of Thomas Robinson, accused of helping conceal evidence by providing a safe for drugs and cash. In response, Penn State placed the Delta Upsilon chapter on interim suspension while its Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response conducts an investigation. The university noted that Sigma Chi is not a recognized student organization and operates without university oversight.

"We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students," said Andrea Dowhower, 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."

Student Affairs officials said additional educational and hazing-prevention measures will be implemented during the upcoming fall semester.