STATE COLLEGE — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 individuals in connection with a cocaine trafficking operation centered on the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses at Pennsylvania State University. Thirteen of the defendants were current or former Penn State students during the period of the alleged trafficking from 2023 to 2024.

Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were identified as the main suppliers who made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine. The cocaine was cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed mostly to other Penn State students.

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

Agostino Abbatiello, Thomas Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi, and Lars Zeepvat are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman are charged with misdemeanor counts of drug possession and paraphernalia.

Paul Robinson is charged with felony tampering with evidence and hindering apprehension for allegedly concealing evidence and obstructing the investigation. Paul Robinson is the father of student Thomas Robinson. Investigators accused Paul Robinson of concealing evidence by stashing drugs and cash in a safe.

Thomas Robinson is 23 years old and from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Paul Robinson is 59 years old.

All suspects were arraigned on Monday morning except for Agostino Abbatiello, for whom a warrant was issued. Sunday addressed the scope of the operation during a news conference. "We did not hear of any drug packaging happening on Penn State’s campus," he said.

"Again, the packaging happened at off-campus fraternity houses. And the actual drug dealing was largely from friend to friend, fraternity brother to fraternity brother, acquaintance to acquaintance and at fraternity houses and/or during parties or social engagements."

Penn State placed the Delta Upsilon fraternity on interim suspension pending an investigation by the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response. The university stated that it does not recognize Sigma Chi as an organization and that it operates outside the university's oversight. Andrea Dowhower, Vice President for Student Affairs, issued a statement responding to the charges.

"We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students," she said. "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." She further stated, "We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations."

Michael Church, executive director of Sigma Chi, stated that the conduct is an egregious violation of the organization's values and that the three charged members have been suspended. Church also stated that the Sigma Chi chapter was placed on interim suspension. Sigma Chi is a fraternity founded in 1855. Pennsylvania State University is a public university in Pennsylvania, United States.

What's New

Dave Sunday provided further clarification on the location of the illicit activities. "We did not hear of any drug packaging happening on Penn State’s campus," he said. He explained, "Again, the packaging happened at off-campus fraternity houses. And the actual drug dealing was largely from friend to friend, fraternity brother to fraternity brother, acquaintance to acquaintance and at fraternity houses and/or during parties or social engagements. Sunday emphasized the broader context of the investigation, stating, This is something that occurs all throughout our country and all throughout the world. And that being said, we take it very, very seriously. Which is why we conducted this investigation. Which is why we filed the charges we filed. And I will say that not only have we filed these charges but I promise you that we will be watching." He also addressed families directly: "With regard to parents that might be watching this and thinking about what’s happening at the school, I just want to say this. There is no city, county, community that exists that doesn’t have to deal with issues such as drug use, drug dealing, addiction and things of that nature."

Why It Matters

The charges involve a coordinated drug trafficking operation involving current and former students at a major public university. The involvement of fraternity houses in the cutting and packaging of cocaine suggests a structured system that exploited organizational hierarchies, with Sunday noting that for some pledges, the activity served as an indoctrination. The scale of the operation, which involved regular trips to major cities for supply and distribution to a wide network of students, reflects the potential reach of such networks within collegiate environments.

The immediate suspension of the Delta Upsilon chapter by Penn State and the interim suspension of the Sigma Chi chapter by its national organization demonstrate the institutional consequences of these allegations. The university's statement that Sigma Chi operates outside its oversight shows the challenges institutions face in regulating unrecognized groups. The ongoing investigation by the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response indicates that further administrative actions may follow the criminal proceedings.