Fourteen people, including current and former Penn State students and the father of one of those charged, are facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking operation that prosecutors say operated through two fraternities and targeted students at the university, as reported by The New York Post.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, saying investigators uncovered a coordinated drug operation involving members and pledges of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon.
Prosecutors allege the groups worked with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia and distributed cocaine primarily to Penn State students.
Breaking News Update
Cocaine kingpins at one of America’s biggest party schools made frat pledges package drugs as part of their initiation, police sayTwo fraternities at Penn State University have been accused of being involved in a cocaine trafficking ring, after… pic.twitter.com/pUKDrNRDMT
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Four of the people charged are current Penn State students, nine are alumni, and one is a parent.
“This was a coordinated and highly profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement Monday.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
During a Monday press conference, Sunday identified 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello of Westbury in Nassau County as being “at the very top of the chain.”
Investigators allege Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, who were associated with Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, respectively, served as the principal suppliers in the operation.
According to the investigation, Abbatiello traveled frequently to New York between 2023 and 2024 to obtain large quantities of cocaine.
Court documents allege Abbatiello continued distributing cocaine as recently as February 2026.
Investigators also said that after he learned law enforcement was questioning people about drug dealing at Penn State, he “begged them not to talk about his involvement.”
Prosecutors allege cocaine was cut and packaged primarily inside the off-campus Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses before being distributed to students.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges that include corrupt organizations, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset, another Long Island resident, is facing felony charges of conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman are also charged, with those individuals facing misdemeanor counts.
Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson’s father, faces felony charges of tampering and hindering apprehension.
Authorities allege he took steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructed the investigation.
Penn State has suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the fraternity. The university said Sigma Chi is not recognized by Penn State and operates outside the university’s supervision.
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s 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. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
The investigation involves activity centered on Penn State’s main campus in State College, Pennsylvania, commonly known as “Happy Valley.”
The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.
