Penn State cocaine bust nets charges against 14 in ‘indoctrination’

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 people in connection to a cocaine-trafficking operation involving primarily college students and two fraternities at Penn State University. 

Thirteen of the defendants were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024, while the 14th defendant is the father of a student and is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation, Mr. Sunday’s office said. 

Investigators allege two senior fraternity members, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, were the main suppliers for the group, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine, which was then cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and distributed mainly to Penn State students. 

Mr. Abbatiello and Mr. Robinson, along with 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, faces a felony conspiracy charge, along with charges of criminal use of a communication facility and related misdemeanors, according to the attorney general’s office. Eight other student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman.

“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Mr. Sunday said, adding that cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities. 

Thomas Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, is charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension for allegedly concealing evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation, according to the attorney general’s office.

Penn State confirmed the criminal allegations against current and former students and said it is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates, and that Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and operates outside of the university’s support and oversight.

“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.”

According to Fox News, Delta Upsilon International Fraternity Executive Director Justin Kirk said the individuals associated with the chapter have been expelled, suspended or resigned and that the fraternity would continue working with the university on the investigation.