As RedState reported, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced on Tuesday that he had charged 13 Pennsylvania State University current and former students, and a father of a student, with charges related to a cocaine trafficking ring that allegedly operated out of two fraternity houses.
Former student Agostino Abbatiello, the alleged ringleader, first failed to appear at his arraignment on Monday and was considered missing. Abbatiello turned himself in on Tuesday and was arraigned, but the judge denied him bail. AG Sunday stated in a press release, “We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for, and will have their fair process in court. These are very serious charges, and the next steps will be preliminary hearings.”
UPDATE: Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Agostino Abbatiello, the leader of a cocaine-trafficking ring involving Penn State University students and two student fraternities, surrendered Tuesday morning:https://t.co/AuB7IAkMuA pic.twitter.com/J0yaAlupvV
— PA Attorney General Dave Sunday (@PAAttorneyGen) August 18, 2026
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the leader of a cocaine-trafficking ring involving Penn State University students and two student fraternities surrendered Tuesday morning.
Agostino Abbatiello, 24, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on numerous felonies, including multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver (cocaine), and conspiracy.
AG Sunday detailed the differing charges for the ringleaders, the student-aged defendants, and the father-son duo.
Abbatiello, Robinson, and two others — Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat — are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses. A fifth person, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, and related misdemeanors.
The eight other student-aged defendants charged are facing misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia. They are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman.
Paul Robinson — Thomas Robinson’s father — is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.
According to court documents, one witness said Abbatiello made up to $50,000 as a drug supplier. Abbatiello, originally from Westbury, NY, reportedly had a "passion for numbers and financial storytelling," and had an active blog on financial matters, which has since been taken down after his arrest.
The 24-year-old was an accounting student with a passion for numbers, according to his "About Me" page. A woman unloading groceries into the Westbury home would not answer any questions on Tuesday.
According to the Pennsylvania attorney general, Abbatiello and another defendant, Thomas Robinson, would travel from campus to New York City and Philadelphia "for large quantities of cocaine." The men would return to the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi off-campus frat houses where the drugs would be cut and packaged by fraternity brothers and pledges, before being distributed to students, officials allege.
Penn State issued a statement saying the Delta Upsilon fraternity had been placed on interim suspension. According to the statement, the Sigma Chi fraternity is not a recognized organization by the university, and therefore operates outside the bounds of the university’s support and oversight.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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