14 Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Ring at Penn State Fraternities

More than a dozen people were charged on Monday in connection with what Pennsylvania’s top prosecutor says was a large-scale cocaine trafficking ring operating out of two Penn State fraternities.

Members of Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi brought in “large amounts” of cocaine from Philadelphia and New York that they then cut and packaged for sale primarily to Penn State students from 2023 to 2024, Attorney General Dave Sunday said during a press conference in State College.

The investigation found that cutting and packaging was done by members of the off-campus fraternity houses and was often performed by pledges as an “indoctrination,” Sunday said.

The charges against 14 people — including 13 current and former Penn State students — came after a long-term investigation by the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, the State College Police Department and two statewide investigating grand juries. The investigation, dubbed “Operation Drugs Unlimited,” began in September 2024 when a State College detective began working with confidential informants to make controlled purchases from the two fraternities.

“This is very serious criminal conduct,” Sunday said. “There was nothing junior or childlike about this type of conduct. This was an upper level trafficking organization for this region in Pennsylvania.”

Investigators identified 24-year-old Agostino S. Abbatiello, of Sigma Chi, and and 23-year-old Thomas M. Robinson, of Delta Upsilon, as the alleged ringleaders who made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine, according to investigators. Witnesses who testified to the grand jury called Abbatiello “the largest dealer of cocaine for Penn State University students,” Sunday said.

Robinson, of Pittsburgh, was originally charged in December 2024 with selling cocaine and other drugs from the Delta Upsilon house at 229 Locust Lane. His father, Paul R. Robinson, 59, of Pittsburgh, was the only non-student charged on Monday and is accused of concealing evidence and obstruction.

Mohammed S. Huraibi, 22, and Lars R. Zeepvat, 24, both of New Jersey, were also identified as primary dealers, and along with Abbatiello, of New York, and Thomas Robinson are charged with felony corrupt organizations, among other felony and misdemeanor counts.

Robert A. Zanolla, 24, of New York is charged with felony counts of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility. Eight others — Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman — are charged with misdemeanor counts of possession and drug paraphernalia.

Sunday said that there was no evidence that the packaging of drugs occurred on campus, and that the dealing “was largely from friend to friend, fraternity brother to fraternity brother, acquaintance to acquaintance, at fraternity houses or during parties or social engagements.” Most of the deals were made in cash or via payment apps.

“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,” Sunday said. “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 and which is why we filed the charges we filed.”

Sigma Chi, 400 E. Prospect Ave., was suspended by Penn State in 2021 and operates without university recognition as part of the independent State College Interfraternity Council.

Delta Upsilon has been placed on interim suspension while Penn State’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates, the university said in a statement.

Asked whether any hazing charges would be filed, Sunday said the investigation is ongoing.

“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” Andrea Dowhower, Penn State vice president for Student Affairs, 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. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”

At least four defendants are still enrolled as students, according to Sunday’s office. Penn State “will be addressing these charges through the individual student conduct process for current students,” according to the university statement.

“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,” the university wrote.

Charges were filed Monday morning in Centre County and five of the six men charged with felonies were arraigned by District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker. An arrest warrant has been issued for Abbatiello.

Unsecured bail was set at $1.5 million for Thomas Robinson, $1 million for Paul Robinson, $500,000 each for Huraibi and Zeepvat, and $250,000 for Zanolla.