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3w ago

14 Charged in Cocaine Ring Tied to Penn State Fraternities

Evidence shows off-campus fraternity houses were used to import, cut, package and sell kilos of cocaine prompting criminal prosecutions and university reviews.

Photo of Sigma Chi fraternity on Penn State Main Campus, taken Aug. 17th after multiple members were charged for drug trafficking. (WHP)
Photo of Sigma Chi fraternity on Penn State Main Campus, taken Aug. 17th after multiple members were charged for drug trafficking. (WHP)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 31: A detailed view of a Penn State Nittany Lions logo on a sideline wall before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium on October 31, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Attorney General Dave Sunday announces charges against former Penn State Students while they were fraternity members at State College. (WJAC)

Overview

  • State Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges on Monday after a grand jury probe that identified a trafficking operation active during 2023–2024.
  • Prosecutors say two former students, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, ran the supply chain by traveling to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine.
  • The office alleges drugs were cut and packaged at off-campus Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi houses by fraternity brothers and often by pledges as part of initiation practices.
  • Four defendants, including Abbatiello and Robinson, face felony counts such as corrupt organization, conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity while eight others face misdemeanor possession or paraphernalia charges; a warrant is outstanding for Abbatiello and most defendants were arraigned Monday.
  • Penn State placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension, said Sigma Chi is not a recognized chapter, and the university has opened organizational and student conduct reviews as criminal investigations continue.