14 arrested in Penn State cocaine ring scandal
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and former acting DEA Administrator Derek Maltz weigh in on a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation at Penn State University. Authorities arrested fourteen individuals, including current and former students, for running a drug ring that used popular cash apps and Snapchat to distribute cocaine.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
After news of the alleged Penn State fraternity coke ring broke earlier this week, individual complaints released by the Office of the Attorney General in Pennsylvania provide more specifics into each suspect’s alleged involvement.
Those 14 complaints detail an alleged hierarchy within the cocaine-trafficking operation, from accused suppliers and distributors to fraternity members allegedly tasked with weighing, packaging and delivering cocaine.
Here are the suspects and their alleged roles.
All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that Agostino Abbatiello, 24, turned himself in Tuesday morning, was arraigned and denied bail. He is the accused Penn State coke kingpin. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
1. Agostino „Pablo Pledgescobar“ Abbatiello
Alleged position: „Top of food chain“ according to prosecutors.
Hometown: Westbury, New York
Age: 24
Major: Accounting
Fraternity: Sigma Chi
He reportedly made the Dean’s list at the university and „had a passion for numbers and financial storytelling“ the New York Post reports. He is facing numerous felony charges.
SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS
Thomas Robinson, 22, is facing felony charges for his alleged involvement in the downstream logistics of the operation. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
2. Thomas Robinson
Alleged position: Downstream Logistics/Distribution
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Age: 22
Major: Human Resources and Management
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Robinson allegedly worked closely with Abbatiello and distributed cocaine from his frat to Penn State students, using Snapchat to sell to others. Detectives relied on confidential informants to bust the operation – an informant who purchased drugs from Robinson blew the operation open. He ultimately gave up his partner in crime – Abbatiello – once arrested.
MAN WANTED IN ROBBERY TIED TO PENN STATE STUDENT’S MURDER NOW SOUGHT AFTER OFF-DUTY COP SHOOTOUT
Mohammed Huraibi, 22, is facing felony charges in the alleged cocaine distribution ring. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
3. Mohammed Huraibi
Alleged position: Early distributor
Hometown: Secaucus, New Jersey
Age: 22
Major: Accounting/Finance
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
According to court documents, he introduced Robinson to Abbatiello. Hurabi and Robinson initially split the cost on bulk cocaine purchases before Hurabi attempted to buy out of the partnership in late 2023. Despite stepping back from the bulk operation, he allegedly continued selling drugs to someone at another fraternity
JEANINE PIRRO CALLS OUT ‚DIRTBAGS‘ AFTER 14 CHARGED IN ALLEGED COCAINE RING OPERATING FEET FROM A SCHOOLYARD
Lars Zeepvat, 24, is accused of sourcing the drug and transporting it in the operation. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
4. Lars Zeepvat
Alleged position: Business partner to Abbatiello and distributor
Hometown: Mendham, New Jersey
Age: 24
Major: Accounting
Fraternity: Sigma Chi
Zeepvat and Abbatiello were „close friends“ investigators say. Court documents say, „Zeepvat explained that he was a cocaine user and when he first came to Penn State, he had a source for cocaine in Philadelphia.“ He would use the source to obtain the drug.
PARENTS WHO LOST CHILDREN TO COLLEGE HAZING SPENT 4,000 DAYS FIGHTING FOR FEDERAL LAW IN NEW DOCUMENTARY
Robert Zanolla, 24, is accused of helping transport cocaine from New York City to State College, Pennsylvania. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
5. Robert Zanolla
Alleged position: Suspected of moving cocaine from New York City
Hometown: Manhasset, New York
Age: 24
Major: Unlisted
Fraternity: Sigma Chi
Allegedly worked closely with Zeepvat to make trips to the city to pick the drug up and bring it back to the State College area. Abbatiello offered to pay Zanolla to do it. The duo reportedly made three trips to purchase cocaine for Abbatiello.
MIAMI SECRET SERVICE AGENT CHARGED IN NEAR-DEADLY FRATERNITY HAZING, OFFICIALS SAY
Paul Robinson, 59, is accused of helping his son, Thomas Robinson, conceal evidence in a safe, a complaint alleges. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
6. Paul Robinson
Alleged position: Helped son conceal evidence
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Age: 59
Connection: Father to Thomas Robinson, is accused of concealing said evidence by his alleged possession of a safe containing coke and cash from his son’s alleged dealings.
Exterior of the Delta Upsilon fraternity house in State College. Penn., April, 2025. The Penn State University frat house is one of two at the center of an alleged cocaine trafficking ring which was announced in a press conference by State Attorney General Dave Sunday, Monday, August 17, 2026. (Google Maps)
7. Michael Brogno Jr.
Alleged position: Packaging coke as a pledge.
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Age: 20
Major: Finance
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Documents say Brogno packaged and delivered cocaine at Robinson’s direction.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General announced cocaine was allegedly cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and distributed to Penn State University students. (Kelsie Cairns)
8. Kaden Howe
Alleged position: Delivery help
Hometown: Monmouth Court, New Jersey
Age: 22
Major: Energy Engineering
Fraternity: Acacia
Facing misdemeanor charges for allegedly purchasing/delivering cocaine from Robinson and Huraibi.
Penn State fraternity brothers and others are facing charges associated with an alleged off-campus cocaine ring. (Getty Images: Yevhenii Orlov)
9. Connor Hurleigh
Alleged position: Packaging and delivery support
Hometown: Oakdale, New York
Age: 22
Major: Unlisted
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Complaint alleges he purchased cocaine from Robinson and assisted with packaging and delivery
GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL
Exterior of the Sigma Chi fraternity house in State College. Penn., April, 2025. The Penn State University frat house is one of two at the center of an alleged cocaine trafficking ring which was announced in a press conference by State Attorney General Dave Sunday, Monday, August 17, 2026. (Google Maps)
10. Seth Beardsley
Alleged position: Packaging support
Hometown: Mechanicsburgh, Pennsylvania
Age: 20
Major: Supply Chain Information Systems
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Beardsley is facing misdemeanor drug charges for allegedly packaging cocaine and using a digital scale under Robinson’s direction.
LISTEN TO THE NEW ‚CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO‘ PODCAST
11. Daniel Price
Alleged position: Packaging support
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Age: 21
Major:
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Price is facing misdemeanor charges.
LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE
12. Kyle Ridpath
Alleged position: Packaging help
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Age: 21
Major:
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Ridpath is facing misdemeanor charges.
FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X
Penn State fraternity brothers and others are facing charges in an alleged off-campus coke ring. (Getty Images: GRICHKA BEYSSON-LEANDRI)
13. Liam Smith
Alleged position: Purchaser/Packaging support
Hometown: Garden City, New Jersey
Age: 23
Major: Unlisted
Fraternity: Court filings do not explicitly specify a formal fraternity affiliation for Smith.
Smith reportedly bought cocaine from Abbatiello while the pair were roommates „on at least ten occasions“ court documents say. He also helped to package the drug five different times. He is facing misdemeanor charges.
SEND US A TIP
14. Charlie Weisman
Alleged position: Packaging assistance
Hometown: Mount Airy, Maryland
Age: 20
Major: Chemical Engineering
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Weisman reportedly helped Robison by packaging coke in baggies and using a digital scale to weigh the drug. He is facing misdemeanor charges.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP