Two former Penn State University students, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, have been identified as the main suppliers of a cocaine trafficking ring that was run out of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses from 2023 to 2024. Authorities have charged 14 people in connection with the ring, including 13 current or former Penn State students and one father of a student accused of trying to conceal evidence. The charges include felonies such as corrupt organizations and conspiracy, as well as misdemeanors for some defendants. Penn State has taken disciplinary action against both fraternities, suspending Delta Upsilon and placing Sigma Chi on interim suspension after the alleged conduct was deemed an "egregious violation" of their values.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
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Story summary
14 people, including 13 students from Penn State University, have been charged with running a cocaine trafficking ring. The operation, which allegedly occurred between 2023 and 2024, involved the sale of cut and packaged cocaine to other students at the university. Two former students, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, were identified as the main suppliers, who would make regular trips from Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine for distribution. The majority of the sales took place in fraternity houses, including Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, where the cocaine was also cut and packaged. As a result of the investigation, Penn State University's Delta Upsilon chapter has been placed on interim suspension.
Written for “Penn State Frat Cocaine Ring” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score -0.40 for article 1118 (low confidence, 0 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-24
Two Penn State University fraternities are at the center of a cocaine trafficking ring bust, leading to charges against 14 people, authorities announced on Monday.
asserted
authorities → lead → Monday
According to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, the cocaine was cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before it was distributed, mostly to other Penn State students.
The attorney general's office alleged that two former students, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, were the main suppliers, making regular trips from Philadelphia and New York for "large quantities" of cocaine.
uncertain
students → accord → cocaine
Thirteen of the people charged were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged drug trafficking ring, from around 2023 to 2024, prosecutors said.
asserted
prosecutors → charge → 2024
The 14th defendant, the father of a student, is accused of trying to conceal evidence and obstruct the investigation.
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defendant → accuse → investigation
"This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges," state Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a news release.
asserted
Sunday → traffic → release
"In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities."
uncertain
cutting → accord → fraternities
In a statement, Penn State said Delta Upsilon will be placed on interim suspension.
asserted
Upsilon → say → suspension
Penn State said it doesn't recognize Sigma Chi as an organization and it operates outside of the university's oversight.
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it → say → oversight
Michael Church, Sigma Chi's executive director, said in a statement that the alleged conduct "is an egregious violation of our values" and all three members charged have been suspended.
asserted
members → say → values
He added that the chapter was also placed on interim suspension.
asserted
chapter → add → suspension
Agostino Abbatiello, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are facing several felony charges, including corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
asserted
Abbatiello → face → activity
Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
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Zanolla → charge → facility
Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman are charged with misdemeanors.
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Smith → charge → misdemeanors
Paul Robinson is charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension for trying to conceal evidence.
asserted
Robinson → charge → evidence
