Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Nittany Lion Shrine prior to a game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Rec Hall.
A two-year cocaine trafficking business between Philadelphia, New York, and State College resulted in the arrest and charging of 14 people associated with a pair of fraternities at Penn State University on Sunday.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday told reporters that investigators identified activity connected to both the Delta Upsilon, which Penn State put on interim suspension on Monday, and Sigma Chi, which had been suspended since 2021 and operates without university affiliation, according to Onward State.
A witness who testified against defendant Agostino Abbatiello, who was alleged to be at the center of the operation, called him “the largest dealer of cocaine for Penn State University students.”
Investigators claim that the cocaine was packaged at the fraternity houses before being distributed. Thomas Robinson, another senior fraternity member, was identified as a second key operator alongside Abbatiello.
Penn State Issues Statement Following Cocaine Trafficking Bust
The university released a statement shortly after the news broke on Monday morning.
It stated that it “will be addressing these charges through the individual student conduct process for current students.
“Student Affairs also is moving quickly to establish additional educational and hazing prevention efforts that can be enhanced during the first weeks of the semester.”
Meanwhile, Sunday told Philadelphia news station FOX 29 that he plans to crack down on any similar activity moving forward.
“Not only have we filed these charges, but I promise you that we will be watching, for students who think about going to college, being away from home for the first time… there are always going to be ramifications for your actions,” Sunday told the network.
While the activity took place in a pair of fraternities associated with the university, Sunday noted that there is no evidence that cocaine was packaged on Penn State property.