14 charged in alleged cocaine trafficking ring tied to Penn State University fraternities

Fourteen people are facing charges in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation at Penn State University, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Monday.

The AG's office says 13 of the defendantswere students at the time this happened in 2023 and 2024. The 14th defendant, the father of one of the students, who is accused of hiding drugs and cash in a safe.

Authorities say at least four of the individuals charged are current students.

Investigators allege that senior fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the leaders of the operation, supplying cocaine, while others cut and packaged the drugs primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses.

Fourteen people have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking ring tied to Penn State University frats Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi.

The two are charged with making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine between 2023 and 2024.

"This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges," Attorney General Sunday said. "In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities."

Law enforcement says they used a variety of tactics to track the individuals involved, how the cocaine was obtained, packaged and sold, adding that most of the payments were made in cash or via payment apps.

Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses.

A fifth defendant, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy, criminal use of a communication facility and related misdemeanor offenses.

The father, Paul Robinson, is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.

The remaining defendants, all of whom are student-aged, are facing misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia.

According to investigators, the cocaine was distributed to Penn State students.

Penn State released the following statement on the investigation:

"At 10:30 a.m. today, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 individuals, mostly current or former Penn State students, allegedly involved in a criminal narcotics operation in 2023 and 2024 involving two off-campus Greek organizations, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon.

Immediately after learning of these serious allegations, Penn State is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates. Penn State Student Affairs will be addressing these charges through the individual student conduct process for current students, and Delta Upsilon also will be reviewed through the University's organizational conduct processes. Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and operates outside of the University's support and oversight. Student Affairs also is moving quickly to establish additional educational and hazing prevention efforts that can be enhanced during the first weeks of the semester.

'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.'

When the University learns of criminal charges against a recognized student organization or a current student, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response initiates its own investigation and holds the organization and individuals responsible for misconduct separately from charges filed by law enforcement. This includes disciplinary action up to, and including, permanent separation from the University for both the organizations and individuals involved.

The University's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has health and safety staff that consistently work with Greek organizations and their members to promote safe behaviors and educate on risk and anti-hazing."