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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...

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 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...

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...

Penn State Fraternities Implicated in Cocaine Trafficking Ring, 14 Charged

Penn State Fraternities Implicated in Cocaine Trafficking Ring, 14 Charged

Authorities have charged 14 individuals, including 13 current or former Penn State students and the father of a student, in connection with a cocaine trafficking ring. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General alleges that cocaine was primarily packaged at two Penn State fraternity houses, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, before being distributed, mostly to other Penn State students. Two former students, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, are accused of being the main suppliers, making regular trips from Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine. State Attorney General Dave Sunday stated that cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities. The alleged drug trafficking ring operated from approximately 2023 to 2024. Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension and does not recognize Sigma Chi as an organization.

Ringleader of Penn State Fraternity Cocaine Trafficking Organization Surrenders, Denied Bail

Ringleader of Penn State Fraternity Cocaine Trafficking Organization Surrenders, Denied Bail

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, identified as the ringleader of a cocaine-trafficking organization involving Penn State University students and two fraternities, surrendered to authorities and was subsequently denied bail. Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Abbatiello was arraigned on multiple felony charges, including possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy. Abbatiello and 13 other defendants were charged following an investigation by the Office of Attorney General, State College Police Department, and the 54th Statewide Investigating Grand Jury. According to the investigation, Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the primary suppliers, making frequent trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine. The drugs were then processed and distributed, mainly to Penn State University students, often at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. Thirteen of the charged defendants were Penn State students at the time of the alleged conduct in 2023 and 2024.

Penn State Fraternities Implicated in Large-Scale Cocaine Trafficking Ring, 14 Charged

Penn State Fraternities Implicated in Large-Scale Cocaine Trafficking Ring, 14 Charged

A significant cocaine trafficking operation involving two Penn State University fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, has led to charges against 14 individuals. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General announced that the drug ring, active from 2023 to 2024, primarily distributed cocaine to Penn State students. The drugs were reportedly sourced from Philadelphia and New York. Pledges at the off-campus fraternity houses were allegedly involved in cutting and packaging cocaine, with some instances described as an 'indoctrination' into the fraternities. Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, former Penn State students and described as 'senior members of the fraternities,' are accused of being the main suppliers. Abbatiello was referred to by grand jury witnesses as the 'largest dealer of cocaine' for Penn State students. The drug deals reportedly occurred within fraternity houses or at social events, primarily between friends and fraternity brothers, rather than to the general public. Thirteen of the...

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.

Alleged Ringleader of Penn State Cocaine Trafficking Ring Surrenders to Police

Alleged Ringleader of Penn State Cocaine Trafficking Ring Surrenders to Police

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, of Westbury, N.Y., identified by authorities as the alleged ringleader of a cocaine trafficking operation at Penn State University, surrendered to police after failing to appear for his scheduled arraignment. He was subsequently arraigned in a Pennsylvania district court on multiple felony charges, including possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy, and was denied bail. The Pennsylvania attorney general's office announced charges against 14 individuals in total, including Abbatiello, 12 current or former Penn State students, and the father of one student. The alleged trafficking ring reportedly operated out of two off-campus fraternity houses, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi, with cocaine being cut and packaged at these locations and distributed primarily to Penn State students. Authorities claim that pledges were sometimes coerced into cutting and packaging cocaine as part of their fraternity indoctrination processes. Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson are accused of being the mai...

14 Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Ring at Penn State Fraternities, Attorney General Alleges Pledges Packed Drugs

14 Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Ring at Penn State Fraternities, Attorney General Alleges Pledges Packed Drugs

Pennsylvania's Attorney General has announced charges against more than a dozen current or former Penn State students at the University Park campus for their alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking ring. All but one of the 14 individuals accused were students at University Park during the multi-year investigation, which covered alleged cocaine trafficking in 2023 and 2024. One person charged is a student's father, who is accused of attempting to obstruct the investigation. Attorney General Dave Sunday stated that large quantities of cocaine were brought from Philadelphia and New York to State College, where they were cut and packaged for sale, primarily to Penn State students. The cocaine was reportedly cut and packaged mostly at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. Sunday further alleged that packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an 'indoctrination' into these fraternities. Penn State officials have placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension, while Sigma Chi is not recognized by the ...

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 Members Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Operation

Penn State Fraternity Members Charged in Cocaine Trafficking Operation

More than a dozen current and former Penn State students are facing charges for their alleged involvement in a cocaine trafficking and sales operation on campus. According to Attorney General Dave Sunday, brothers and pledges from the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities were involved in packaging and selling cocaine to students and locals in State College over several years. The operation, dubbed "Operation Drugs Unlimited," reportedly transported kilos of cocaine from Philadelphia and New York to State College between 2023 and 2024. Thomas Robinson of Delta Upsilon and Agostino Abbatiello of Sigma Chi, both students until 2024, are accused of being the primary dealers. Robinson's father was also charged for allegedly concealing information from police. Pledges were reportedly expected to cut and bag cocaine as part of their fraternity initiation. In total, 12 additional individuals were charged, including five dealers and eight others facing charges such as conspiracy and drug paraphernalia. Penn Sta...