Penn State fraternity members and others charged in alleged cocaine trafficking ring
Fourteen individuals, including former and current Penn State students and a student’s father, have been indicted on charges related to a cocaine distribution operation linked to two off-campus fraternities.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Monday that fourteen people face charges tied to an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving Penn State University fraternities. Thirteen of the defendants were students during 2023-2024, and a fourteenth, the father of one student, is accused of concealing drugs and cash.
Investigators say senior fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson led the scheme, sourcing large quantities of cocaine from Philadelphia and New York and having it cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi houses. Other students are charged with misdemeanor possession and paraphernalia offenses.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat face felony counts including corrupt organization and conspiracy, while Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and misuse of communication facilities. The father, Paul Robinson, is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.
Penn State responded by placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension and noting that Sigma Chi is not a recognized campus organization. The university said its Student Affairs office will pursue its own conduct process for current students and will cooperate with law-enforcement investigations. Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs, said the university will enhance health, safety and hazing-prevention efforts.
Law enforcement described using cash and payment-app transactions to track the distribution network, which they say supplied cocaine to Penn State students.