Charges Filed in Relation to Penn State Fraternity Drug Ring

Thirteen current or former Pennsylvania State University students were charged with offenses related to a cocaine-trafficking operation allegedly run out of two fraternity houses in 2023 and 2024, according to a news release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday.

Prosecutors allege that Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, who were students at the time, led the “coordinated and highly profitable” enterprise. They and two others—Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat—were charged with violating Pennsylvania’s felony racketeering and controlled substance laws and other related offenses. Another classmate, Robert Zanolla, was charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility; eight others were charged with related misdemeanors, according to an update from Sunday’s office. 

“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Sunday said in a statement. “In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”

Thomas Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, was charged with felonies related to concealing evidence and obstructing the investigation, according to the release. 

On Monday, Penn State said in a statement that it would conduct its own investigation of current students’ involvement in the drug enterprise and would temporarily suspend the Delta Upsilon fraternity. Sigma Chi, the other fraternity named by prosecutors, is not affiliated with the university, according to the statement. 

“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” Andrea Dowhower, vice president for student affairs, said in a statement. “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.”

Delta Upsilon’s executive director said that those involved were expelled, suspended or had resigned, and Sigma Chi’s leader said members had been suspended pending the outcome of the case, the Associated Press reported. 

The attorney general’s office said that Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to acquire the cocaine. It said law enforcement’s investigation revealed the drugs were packaged at the fraternity houses and sold primarily to Penn State students, who paid using cash or payment apps, according to the release. 

Thomas Robinson was arrested in late 2024 after he allegedly sold cocaine to confidential informants, according to The Centre Daily Times.