More than a dozen fraternity brothers have been arrested for their roles in a drug-trafficking ring that involved members of two Penn State University fraternities.
Thirteen fraternity brothers from Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon — four of whom are still students at the university — and one father are facing a slew of charges related to a multi-state narcotics enterprise. The ringleaders of the operation had suppliers in Philadelphia and New York City and sold their product primarily to students at the university, according to a report from The New York Post.
According to Attorney General Dave Sunday (R-PA), the fraternity kingpins even coerced younger pledges into taking part in their illicit scheme.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges. In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities,” Sunday said in a statement.
“According to the investigation and a grand jury presentment, two members of the organization — Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson — were the main suppliers for the group, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine,” a press release from Sunday’s office read, in part.
Abbatiello, upon learning that authorities at Penn State had gotten wind of the drug-trafficking scheme, reportedly “begged them not to talk about his involvement.”
Five of the men have been charged with felonies related to the operation. Abbattiello and Robinson, along with Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, have been charged with involvement in “corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity,” The Post reported.
Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, was also charged with felonies related to his efforts to obstruct the investigation and hide or tamper with evidence — including cash and drugs that he had reportedly hidden in a safe.
Robert Zanolla, also 24, was “charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.”
The others — Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman — were charged with misdemeanors.
The cases, according to Sunday’s office, “will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General Drug Strike Force Section.”
Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs, issued a statement following the arrests:
We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students. Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.
The university has taken action against Delta Upsilon, putting the entire fraternity on a temporary suspension — but because Sigma Chi is not an officially recognized fraternity at Penn State, that house is not under a similar suspension.
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