Penn State fraternity member arrested in alleged cocaine trafficking ring
A Penn State fraternity brother was arrested after selling cocaine to undercover informants, leading to charges against him and others, including his father.
A grand jury report released by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General details the arrest of Thomas Robinson, a member of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities, who was taken into custody in December 2024 after allegedly selling cocaine to confidential informants on five occasions between September and December.
Robinson was apprehended in his fraternity room and initially believed the police action was a prank, repeatedly telling officers he would retaliate before being tasered and handcuffed.
Police searches uncovered a 220-gram bag of marijuana, pill bottles, drug paraphernalia, a Kimber .45 handgun, a magazine with seven rounds, and a safe containing additional contraband and cash.
According to the criminal complaint, a confidential informant identified a seller using the nickname "T-Rob" who accepted payments through a Venmo account linked to Robinson. A database search connected the alias to Robinson’s name and addresses in Churchill and State College.
Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, an attorney, was also charged for allegedly concealing a safe with drugs and money, making him the only non-student implicated.
Investigators say Robinson identified Agostino Abbatiello as his source for the cocaine. Abbatiello, a former Sigma Chi member, is described by Attorney General Dave Sunday as the primary dealer for Penn State students and was arrested on multiple felony counts after surrendering to authorities.
Robinson faces more than ten felony charges, while Penn State confirmed he was last enrolled in the spring of 2025.