Penn State Fraternities Used Cocaine Trafficking Ring For Hazing

Attorneys General Dave Sunday revealed that a cocaine trafficking ring operated right here on campus using one of America's largest party schools as its base. The operation centered around two off-campus fraternities at Penn State University known as Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Police say more than a dozen students in these groups faced drug charges after investigators found pledges cutting and packaging the white powder during their own initiation rituals.

The process was not just chaotic hazing but a highly profitable crew led by two senior members who directed younger brothers to handle the narcotics. Attorney General Sunday stated that for some new pledges, the act of slicing up cocaine served as their official indoctrination into the brotherhood. Two men named Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were identified as the main suppliers who allegedly made frequent trips from Philadelphia and New York to bring in large quantities of the drug.

These two senior members stood alongside Mohammed Hurabi, Lars Zeepvat, and Robert Zanolla as they faced various felony charges including conspiracy and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. A fifth individual charged with felony conspiracy was also involved in using communication facilities for criminal purposes while facing other misdemeanor counts. The investigation uncovered that twelve or thirteen defendants were Penn State students at the time of the alleged conduct which took place in 2023 and 2024.

Current students among the accused included four individuals as noted by the attorney general's office release. Paul Robinson, who is Thomas Robinson's father, was charged with felony tampering for taking steps to hide a safe containing drugs and cash while obstructing the investigation. Delta Upsilon executive director Justin Kirk confirmed that those caught in this web have either been expelled, suspended, or resigned from their posts immediately.

Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman all faced misdemeanor counts for possession of drugs and paraphernalia. Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs at Penn State University, expressed horror over these serious allegations against current and former students in her official statement. She made it clear that criminal activity including hazing has absolutely no place within their institution. The university promised to cooperate with law enforcement in any way possible to handle this situation.

Penn State officials confirmed that Delta Upsilon faces an interim suspension while Sigma Chi remains unrecognized as a school-sanctioned group because it operates independently. The university emphasized its commitment to strengthening health, safety, and anti-hazing education across all student organizations moving forward. Michael Church, the executive director for Sigma Chi, condemned the accusations as a severe breach of their core values. He added that every individual facing charges during this investigation has already been suspended pending further review.

Two men, Paul Robinson and Abbatiello, reportedly made frequent trips to Philadelphia and New York carrying large quantities of cocaine. Both are among four people charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds from unlawful activity, and other serious offenses. Paul Robinson's father, Thomas Robinson, faces separate felony charges for tampering and hindering apprehension by attempting to hide evidence like a safe filled with drugs and cash. Robert Zanolla was also accused of felony conspiracy and criminal use of communication facilities alongside several misdemeanor counts.

Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat joined the group facing felony corruption and conspiracy charges along with other related offenses. Church reiterated that Sigma Chi had previously placed its local chapter on interim suspension after learning about the situation. Justin Kirk, the executive director for Delta Upsilon International Fraternity, told Fox News that today's charges stem from incidents the national organization knew about earlier. He stated that all individuals linked to the fraternity have either been expelled, suspended, or resigned from their roles immediately. The Daily Mail contacted Penn State University, Delta Upsilon, and Sigma Chi directly seeking official comments on the developing story.