Alleged leader of PSU drug ring surrenders
Abbatiello denied bail at arraignment
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The leader of a cocaine-trafficking ring involving Penn State University students and two student fraternities surrendered Tuesday morning.
Agostino Abbatiello, 24, was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker on numerous felonies, including multiple counts of possession with intent to deliver (cocaine) and conspiracy.
The district judge denied bail at arraignment.
Abbatiello and more than a dozen others were charged Monday morning. Abbatiello failed to appear for his scheduled arraignment Monday morning.
Thirteen of the charged defendants were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024. According to the investigation and a grand jury presentment, Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson were the main suppliers for the criminal organization, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine.
The cocaine was then cut and packaged -- primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses -- and distributed mainly to Penn State University students.
According to the Associated Press, Penn State said it placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension, noting Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and is not subject to its oversight.
Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said anyone involved in the drug ring who had ties to Delta Upsilon was expelled or suspended from the fraternity if they did not resign.
Sigma Chi's executive director, Michael Church, told the AP that the three Sigma Chi members who were charged have been suspended pending the outcome of the judicial process. He said the fraternity has suspended all operations at its Penn State chapter on an interim basis "while we determine whether these allegations reflect individual conduct or organized chapter activity."
"This conduct is an egregious violation of our values and has no place in our fraternity, community, or society," Church said, adding that any members involved "will be held fully accountable to the extent available to our fraternity."
The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General Drug Strike Force Section.