14 arrested in Penn State cocaine ring scandal
In a significant crackdown on narcotics at Penn State University, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and former acting DEA Administrator Derek Maltz have spoken out about a sprawling cocaine trafficking network operating within the institution. Authorities have arrested 14 individuals, comprising both current and former students, who allegedly orchestrated this drug ring using popular cash apps and Snapchat to distribute cocaine.
Following the revelation of an alleged cocaine distribution operation earlier this week linked to a Penn State fraternity, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office released detailed complaints, shedding light on the purported involvement of each suspect.
The 14 detailed complaints reveal an intricate hierarchy within the operation, outlining the roles of accused suppliers and distributors, down to fraternity members who were allegedly responsible for weighing, packaging, and delivering the cocaine.
Here is a breakdown of the suspects and the alleged roles they played within this operation.
It’s important to remember that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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)
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.
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)
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.
Mohammed Huraibi, 22, is facing felony charges in the alleged cocaine distribution ring. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
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
Lars Zeepvat, 24, is accused of sourcing the drug and transporting it in the operation. (Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General Dave Sunday)
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.
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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.
Alleged position: Packaging support
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Age: 21
Major:
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Price is facing misdemeanor charges.
Alleged position: Packaging help
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Age: 21
Major:
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Ridpath is facing misdemeanor charges.
Penn State fraternity brothers and others are facing charges in an alleged off-campus coke ring. (Getty Images: GRICHKA BEYSSON-LEANDRI)
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.
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.