Penn State frat pledges forced into drug trafficking ring as hazing ritual

Thirteen current or former Penn State University students have been charged in a drug-trafficking case after fraternity pledges were forced to cut and package cocaine as part of a hazing ritual, officials say.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General announced charges against 14 people, including the father of one of the accused, on Monday in the drug trafficking case linked to two fraternities.

Two primary suppliers, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, made regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to acquire large quantities of cocaine, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said at a news conference.

Incoming fraternity pledges were then tasked with processing the cocaine at the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses and it was distributed mainly to Penn State students, according to Sunday.

“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Sunday said. “In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities.”

The offenses are alleged to have occurred in 2023 and 2024. Thirteen of the accused were Penn State students at or around the time of the allegations and four are current students, according to the attorney general’s office.

Abbatiello, Robinson and two others — Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat — are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses. A fifth person, Robert Zanolla, is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, and related misdemeanors, according to the attorney general’s office.

Eight other student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts including possession. One defendant, a student’s father, is accused of tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.

“This is very serious criminal conduct. There was nothing junior or childlike about this type of conduct,” Sunday said. “This was an upper level trafficking organization for this region in Pennsylvania.”

Penn State University said in a news release that Delta Upsilon has been placed on interim suspension while it investigates the matter.

Sigma Chi is unrecognized by Penn State and operates outside university oversight, according to the university.

Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said in a statement that the international fraternity was aware of the charges and that involved members linked to Delta Upsilon were expelled or suspended if they did not resign.

“We will continue to work closely with the university on any investigative efforts,” Kirk added.

The Sigma Chi headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sunday noted during the news conference that most defendants facing felony charges were arraigned Monday morning.