Key facts
- A drug-dealing enterprise involving 13 current and former Penn State students has been dismantled.
- The alleged ringleaders, including Agostino Abbatiello, are accused of forcing fraternity pledges to cut and package cocaine.
- The investigation utilized apps like Snapchat and Venmo, with usernames ultimately helping authorities identify suspects.
- A confidential informant and subsequent police buys led to the arrest of key figures, including Thomas Robinson.
- Penn State University and fraternity organizations have expressed condemnation and are cooperating with law enforcement.
A sophisticated cocaine-trafficking ring allegedly operated by current and former Penn State University students, including varsity athletes and fraternity members, has been dismantled by authorities. The operation, described by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday as an 'upper-level trafficking organisation for this region,' involved approximately 13 individuals.
Prosecutors allege that the architects of the drug ring, led by Agostino Abbatiello, 24, utilized modern communication tools like Snapchat and Venmo, with usernames tied to their real identities ultimately contributing to their capture. Some fraternity members and pledges were allegedly coerced into cutting and packaging cocaine for distribution.
The investigation gained traction through a confidential informant who reported drug sales from the Delta Upsilon fraternity house. Subsequent police buys and a raid on a suspect's room, Thomas Robinson, led authorities to identify Abbatiello as a primary supplier. Co-defendant Lars Zeepvat reportedly described Abbatiello as the 'largest distributor of cocaine at Penn State University.'
Penn State University has expressed dismay over the allegations and pledged full cooperation with law enforcement. The university stated that such criminal activity has no place on its campus. Fraternity organizations also condemned the alleged conduct; Sigma Chi suspended charged members and placed its chapter on interim suspension, while Delta Upsilon is also facing interim suspension, with associated suspects reportedly expelled, suspended, or resigned.
Abbatiello, Robinson, Zeepvat, and Huraibi face felony charges, with most other suspects charged with misdemeanors. The Attorney General's office indicated that the most significant members of the organization are in custody and will face legal proceedings.