Accused Leader of Penn State Fraternity Cocaine Ring Seeks Speedy Trial

The alleged leader of a cocaine trafficking ring that prosecutors say operated out of two Penn State fraternities is pushing to have his case go to trial by the end of the year.

In a motion filed on Sept. 16, attorney Philip Masorti wrote that Agostino S. Abbatiello “intends to fully exercise and insist upon his constitutional and procedural right to a prompt and speedy trial.” Assuming the timely production of discovery by the state attorney general’s, Masorti wrote, Abbatiello is prepared for jury selection on Dec. 7 and to proceed to trial in the December term of the Centre County Court of Common Pleas.

The motion included a preemptive continuing objection to any request to delay or continue the trial.

“The continued pendency of these serious criminal charges has imposed substantial stress and hardship upon the Defendant and his family, circumstances that have been further aggravated by the extensive and, at times, excessive public and media attention surrounding this prosecution,” Masorti wrote.

“The Defendant does not desire, request, or intend to cause unnecessary delay. To the contrary, he seeks to have this matter tried before a Centre County jury at the earliest reasonable opportunity consistent with his right to fully and fairly prepare his defense.”

Abbatiello, 24, is one of 14 people — including 13 current and former Penn State students — who were charged on Aug. 17 for alleged involvement in what Attorney General Dave Sunday described a coordinated, large-scale cocaine trafficking ring operating out of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities.

He is accused of bringing large amounts of cocaine from a connection in his hometown on Long Island, New York to State College, where it was cut and packaged for distribution by fraternity members for sale primarily to Penn State students.

Witnesses described Abbatiello as “the Godfather” and the biggest dealer of cocaine at Penn State.

At his preliminary hearing earlier this month, three other defendants facing felony charges in the case — Thomas M. Robinson, Mohammed S. Huraibi and Lars R. Zeepvat — testified against Abbatiello and recounted their roles in acquiring drugs from him to be further cut and sold.

Following that hearing, President Judge Jonathan Grine set bail at $250,000, which Abbatiello posted within several hours. Masorti said Abbatiello, who had previously been working as a financial consultant in Florida, will live with his parents in New York for the duration of the case.

Masorti’s motion seeks to have the prosecution turn over all available discovery immediately, including details of each alleged drug transaction, witness and co-defendant statements, any cooperation agreements or discussions and criminal exposure and governmental leverage over witnesses.

Abbatiello plans to waive his formal arraignment scheduled for Sept. 30, Masorti wrote. He requested a hearing be scheduled for Oct. 20 to resolve any unresolved discovery issues.