A cocaine-trafficking ring run through two Penn State University fraternities got busted after investigators discovered one of the suspected college kingpins was accepting Venmo payments for his drugs under his real name.
A confidential informant reportedly told authorities that Thomas Robinson, a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, was selling cocaine out of the fraternity house under the name “T-Rob.” He was accepting payments for the drugs via Venmo — under the name Tom-Robinson, according to court documents filed in 2024.
The alleged multi-state drug ring operated out of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and moved large amounts of cocaine on the Pennsylvania college campus in 2023 and 2024, state Attorney General Dave Sunday’s (R-PA) office announced on Monday.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Sunday’s office said. “In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”
Robinson and Agostino Abbatiello, 24, allegedly served as the operation’s main suppliers, making numerous trips throughout 2023 and 2024 to New York City and Philadelphia to buy large quantities of cocaine, according to Sunday’s office. They allegedly brought the drugs back to the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon houses, where the cocaine was cut and packaged for resale, mainly to Penn State students.
Sunday’s office announced charges against 14 individuals in connection with the bust — four current students, nine former students, and Robinson’s father, prominent Pittsburgh attorney Paul Robinson.
Prosecutors say the elder Robinson tried to conceal evidence after authorities began investigating his son. He was charged with “felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructing the investigation.”
Abbatiello, who allegedly ran the operation alongside Robinson, surrendered on Tuesday morning after missing his scheduled arraignment on Monday.
Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker arraigned Abbatiello on a number of felonies — including possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. Abbatiello was denied bail at arraignment.
Penn State said it placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the university investigates the allegations. Sigma Chi is not recognized by Penn State and operates outside the university’s oversight, according to the school.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section will be tasked with prosecuting the cases.
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