Alleged ringleader in Penn State fraternity cocaine dealing case granted bail

The alleged ringleader charged in what authorities have called a "highly-profitable" cocaine trafficking ring operating out of two Penn State University fraternities was granted bail during court proceedings on Wednesday. 

Agostino Abbatiello of Westbury, New York, the alleged ringleader of the operation, had been denied bail since he surrendered to authorities last month. The 24-year-old was led into the courthouse on Wednesday in a red jumpsuit, one day after seeking to have his hearing delayed.

During the hearing at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, a judge granted bail to Abbatiello, which was set at a secured $250,000. 

"I'm happy with the way things went today," said Philip M. Masorti, attorney for Agostino Abbatiello, following the proceedings. "My client's gonna be posting bail soon."

Abbatiello was ordered to have no contact with any witnesses and to surrender his passport, if and when he does post bail.  

Abbatiello and fellow suspects Thomas Robinson, Paul Robinson, Muhammad Huraibi and Robert Zanolla were in court for proceedings at the Centre County Courthouse on Wednesday, several weeks after being charged for their alleged roles in a cocaine distribution ring that authorities say spanned a time period from around 2023 to 2024. 

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said at the time charges were filed that pledges at the off-campus fraternity homes of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon cut and packaged the cocaine, including some who did it as an "indoctrination" into the fraternities. The drugs were brought to the university in State College from Philadelphia and New York, investigators said. 

Fourteen individuals, nearly all former or current Penn State students, have been charged in connection with the alleged drug dealing operation. 

Lars Zeepvat, 24, of Mendham, New Jersey, one of the other defendants in the case, testified Wednesday that he was selling cocaine for Abbatiello, whom he said he eventually started noticing a difference in. 

"He started selling for money and popularity," Zeepvat said. 

Zeepvat later added that Abbatiello called himself "the Godfather," and he flaunted his money. 

Thomas Robinson, 23, of Churchill, Pennsylvania, was the first to take the stand. While on the stand, Robinson detailed that he began selling cocaine during the spring of 2023, admitting that he stored it in the Delta Upsilon house. 

Robinson waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Wednesday. Huraibi and Zanolla also waived their right to a preliminary hearing. 

Having been described as being "a rung below" Abbatiello in the operation, Robinson was arrested in December 2024 after allegedly selling cocaine to confidential informants six times in the late months of that year. In the wake of his arrest, Robinson had his admission to the New England School of Law withdrawn. 

The next round of court proceedings is scheduled for the end of September, when defendants are due back in court for formal arraignments. 

Charges move forward against Paul Robinson

Paul Robinson, 59, a prominent attorney at a Pittsburgh law firm and father of Thomas Robinson, was charged with helping conceal evidence related to the operation. 

The elder Robinson is accused of hiding a safe containing drugs and cash tied to his son's alleged dealings. In court on Wednesday, Michael DeRiso, attorney for Paul Robinson, introduced a photo showing no money visible from before his son's arrest. DeRiso argued there was no proof of concealment.

A judge decided during Wednesday's proceedings that the charges and case can move forward.  After the proceedings, DeRiso said he was "disappointed" and surprised by the judge's decision, adding that he did not feel prosecutors showed that his client knew what was in the safe. 

"We intend on filing, obviously, motions to reconsider, motion to dismiss," DeRiso said outside the courthouse. "Once we get the transcript, we can make more coherent arguments based on the actual facts." 

Thomas Robinson and Paul Robinson both remain free on bond.