13 Penn State fraternity members arrested in federal cocaine-MD5 case
Federal authorities arrested 13 members of the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities at Penn State University on August 25, charging them with large-scale cocaine and MD5 distribution, the New York Post reported. Earlier, Pennsylvania Attorney General filings listed fourteen individuals, including students and a parent, charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses related to the cocaine network, according to CBS News. The Guardian also noted the same fourteen were charged with offenses ranging from felony drug trafficking to evidence tampering. CBS News reported that Pittsburgh attorney Paul Robinson was indicted for tampering with a safe that prosecutors said held cocaine and cash.
The New York Post later quoted Robinson claiming he was unaware of the safe’s contents while cleaning his son’s fraternity room. The investigation revealed the group used Snapchat and payment apps to arrange and pay for cocaine purchases, as detailed by the New York Post. BBC reported that a 24-year-old student was identified as the alleged leader coordinating the distribution operation involving fraternity members and pledges. The New York Post added that the attorney and his son, a Delta Upsilon student, were charged in connection with the case.