Key facts
- Fourteen people, including current and former Penn State students, have been charged in a cocaine trafficking ring.
- The alleged operation used two fraternity houses, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, for cutting and packaging cocaine.
- Authorities stated that fraternity pledges were allegedly made to cut and package cocaine as part of their initiation.
- The drug ring operated between 2023 and 2024, distributing cocaine primarily to Penn State students.
- Agostino Abbatiello, accused of leading the operation, was jailed without bail.
- Four defendants face felony charges including corrupt organizations and conspiracy.
- Penn State placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension, and Sigma Chi suspended its chapter operations.
Fourteen people, including current and former Penn State students, have been charged in connection with an alleged cocaine trafficking ring that operated out of two off-campus fraternity houses. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges, stating that fraternity pledges were allegedly made to cut and package cocaine as part of their initiation. The illicit operation, which ran from 2023 to 2024, involved obtaining bulk quantities of cocaine from contacts in Philadelphia and New York and distributing it through Penn State students.
Agostino Abbatiello, 24, is accused of leading the operation and surrendered Tuesday after failing to appear for his arraignment. He faces charges including possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy and was jailed without bail. Court documents indicate that the drugs were cut and bagged primarily at the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses, using frat brothers and pledges as labor. One co-defendant was described as the "largest distributor of cocaine" at Penn State.
Four defendants face felony charges including conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, corrupt organizations, and criminal use of a communication facility. Eight others are charged with misdemeanor drug possession. Paul Robinson, the father of one of the alleged main suppliers, faces felony tampering and hindering apprehension charges for allegedly concealing evidence.
Penn State has placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension. Sigma Chi's executive director stated that the three Sigma Chi members charged have been suspended and the chapter's operations are suspended pending investigation.