Explore

Pittsburgh Man Accused of Leading Cocaine-Trafficking Ring Involving Penn State Fraternities

Pittsburgh Man Accused of Leading Cocaine-Trafficking Ring Involving Penn State Fraternities

A Pittsburgh man, Thomas Michael Robinson, is among 14 individuals charged in connection with a cocaine-trafficking ring reportedly involving two Penn State fraternities. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges on Monday. Investigators identified Robinson, a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, and Agostino Abbatiello of Westbury, New York, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, as alleged leaders of the operation. According to NBC News affiliate WJAC, Robinson and Abbatiello are accused of coercing other fraternity members and pledges to package cocaine between 2023 and 2024, which was then sold to Penn State students. Thomas Robinson's father, Paul Robinson, was also charged for allegedly helping conceal evidence by providing a safe for drugs and cash. Penn State officials have placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension and are investigating, while Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization.

14 Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Penn State Fraternities

14 Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Penn State Fraternities

Fourteen individuals, primarily current or former students, have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation tied to Penn State University fraternities Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges, stating that the operation involved senior fraternity members, other brothers, and pledges. According to investigators, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the alleged leaders, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine. Others involved were responsible for cutting and packaging the drugs, primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. For some pledges, this activity was reportedly an 'indoctrination into the fraternities.' The 14th defendant, the father of one of the students, is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Law enforcement used various tactics to track the operation, noting that most payments were made in cash or via paymen...

Fourteen Individuals Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Penn State Fraternities

Fourteen Individuals Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Penn State Fraternities

Fourteen individuals, primarily current and former Penn State University students, have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the operation involved two fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Investigators allege that senior fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson led the operation, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine. Others involved were responsible for cutting and packaging the drugs, primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. Attorney General Sunday stated that for some pledges, cutting and packaging cocaine was an 'indoctrination into the fraternities.' The cocaine was reportedly distributed to Penn State students. One defendant, Paul Robinson, the father of one of the students, is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Penn State University has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspens...

14 Individuals, Including Penn State Students and a Parent, Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring

14 Individuals, Including Penn State Students and a Parent, Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring

Charges have been filed against 14 individuals, including current and former Penn State University students and a student's father, in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation. The Pennsylvania attorney general's office announced that 13 students and one parent face felony or misdemeanor charges. The investigation, dubbed "Operation Drugs Unlimited," uncovered that two members, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, were allegedly the main suppliers, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine. The cocaine was then reportedly cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and distributed mainly to Penn State students. Payments were often made in cash or via payment apps. Agostino Abbatiello, identified as the alleged leader, surrendered and was denied bail. Paul Robinson, the father of one student, is charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension for allegedly concealing evidence, including a safe with drugs...

Penn State Students Accused of Operating Cocaine Trafficking Ring from Fraternity Houses

Penn State Students Accused of Operating Cocaine Trafficking Ring from Fraternity Houses

More than a dozen Penn State University students are accused of running a cocaine trafficking ring, primarily operating out of two off-campus fraternity houses, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against 14 individuals, stating that the operation involved primarily college students and two fraternities, with drugs distributed mainly to Penn State students. The alleged trafficking occurred between 2023 and 2024. Thirteen of the charged defendants were students during this period, with four still currently enrolled. Prosecutors allege that two main suppliers made regular trips to New York and Philadelphia for large quantities of cocaine. Four defendants face felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy, while others face misdemeanor counts. The 14th person charged is a student's father, accused of evidence tampering.

Penn State Fraternity Pledges Allegedly Forced to Bag Cocaine in College Drug Ring

Penn State Fraternity Pledges Allegedly Forced to Bag Cocaine in College Drug Ring

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has charged 14 individuals, including 13 current or former Penn State students, in connection with an alleged college drug ring. Authorities claim that Penn State fraternity pledges were compelled to cut and package cocaine as part of the operation, which was run out of two off-campus fraternity houses: Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon. The drug ring, active in 2023 and 2024, reportedly sourced bulk quantities of cocaine from contacts in Philadelphia and New York. The alleged leader, 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, surrendered after failing to appear for his arraignment on charges including possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. Paul Robinson, the father of another accused supplier, faces charges for allegedly concealing evidence. Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension, while Sigma Chi, not recognized by the university, has suspended its chapter operations and members involved.

Fourteen Individuals Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Tied to Penn State Fraternities

Fourteen Individuals Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Tied to Penn State Fraternities

Fourteen individuals, primarily current or former Penn State University students, have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation. The Pennsylvania Attorney General, Dave Sunday, announced the charges, stating that the operation involved two off-campus Greek organizations, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, during 2023 and 2024. Thirteen of the defendants were students at the time of the alleged crimes, with at least four still currently enrolled. The investigation alleges that senior fraternity members, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, led the operation, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine. The drugs were then reportedly cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, with some pledges allegedly being indoctrinated into the fraternities by participating in these activities. The cocaine was subsequently distributed to Penn State students. The charges range from felony corrupt organizations ...

Penn State students accused of operating drug ring out of fraternities

Penn State students accused of operating drug ring out of fraternities

Fourteen people, mostly current and former Penn State students, were charged in an alleged drug trafficking operation tied to two fraternities.

Penn State Students Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Operation Centered in Fraternities

Penn State Students Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Operation Centered in Fraternities

Thirteen current and former Penn State students are facing charges in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation. According to officials, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were responsible for acquiring large quantities of cocaine from Philadelphia and New York. This cocaine was then reportedly cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, and subsequently distributed primarily to Penn State University students between 2023 and 2024. Attorney General Dave Sunday described the operation as a "highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew" that involved senior fraternity members, other brothers, and pledges. For some pledges, the act of cutting and packaging cocaine was allegedly part of their indoctrination into the fraternities. Mohammed Hurabi, Lars Zeepvat, Abbatiello, and Robinson face felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. Robert Zanolla is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a commu...

Bail Denied for Alleged Ringleader in Penn State Fraternity Cocaine Trafficking Case

Bail Denied for Alleged Ringleader in Penn State Fraternity Cocaine Trafficking Case

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, the alleged ringleader of a cocaine trafficking organization reportedly operating out of two Penn State fraternities, has been denied bail after turning himself in to authorities. Investigators with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General announced that Abbatiello was arraigned on multiple counts of drug possession and conspiracy charges. This development follows a years-long investigation into a large-scale cocaine trafficking ring that allegedly involved the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities. Authorities claim that fraternity brothers, including pledges, were reportedly forced to package kilos of cocaine as part of their initiation and that the drugs were then sold to fellow Penn State students. Abbatiello and Thomas Michael Robinson are identified as the two main ringleaders, with a total of 14 individuals charged in connection with the operation.

14 Individuals Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Penn State Fraternities

14 Individuals Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking Ring Linked to Penn State Fraternities

Fourteen individuals, primarily current and former Penn State University students, have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges, stating that 13 of the defendants were students between 2023 and 2024, with at least four currently enrolled. The 14th defendant is the father of one of the students, charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. Investigators allege that Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, identified as senior fraternity members, led the operation, supplying cocaine. Others involved were responsible for cutting and packaging the drugs, primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. Attorney General Sunday described the operation as a 'coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew,' noting that for some pledges, cutting and packaging cocaine served as an 'indoctrination into the fraternities.' The alleged leaders reportedly made regular trips to...

Pennsylvania AG, State College Police Charge 14 in Alleged Penn State Cocaine-Trafficking Ring

Pennsylvania AG, State College Police Charge 14 in Alleged Penn State Cocaine-Trafficking Ring

Attorney General Dave Sunday, in collaboration with the State College Police Department and the 54th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, has announced charges against 14 individuals involved in a cocaine trafficking operation. The operation primarily involved college students and two fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Of the 14 defendants, 13 were Penn State University students at the time of the alleged conduct in 2023 and 2024. The 14th defendant, the father of a student, faces charges of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. According to the investigation, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were identified as the main suppliers, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine. This cocaine was then cut and packaged, primarily within the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, and subsequently distributed to Penn State University students. Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Hurabi, and Lars Zeepvat are charged with felony corrupt...