Agostino Abbatiello, identified as the alleged ringleader of a cocaine operation at Penn State University, appeared in Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday. Abbatiello, 24, was escorted into the court in handcuffs and wearing a red prison jumpsuit.
He has been in custody since his arrest on August 18, after turning himself in to authorities. Abbatiello is among 14 people charged in connection with the alleged drug ring, which prosecutors state operated from approximately 2023 to 2024. Officials found that Sigma Chi, a fraternity Abbatiello was a member of, and Delta Upsilon allegedly hosted parties where drugs and hazing with cocaine occurred.
During Wednesday's preliminary hearing, Thomas Robinson, described by prosecutors as a rung below Abbatiello, testified. Robinson stated he initially sold small amounts of cocaine and split profits with Muhammad Huraibi. He identified Abbatiello as their supplier. Robinson further detailed that he and Huraibi purchased approximately 100 grams of cocaine from Abbatiello in August 2023 for $4,000, using multiple currencies including cash and Venmo. The funds for this purchase reportedly came from previous cocaine sales.
Huraibi also testified, admitting to using cocaine before selling it with Robinson. He recounted pledging Delta Upsilon in Spring 2023 and being introduced to Abbatiello through a friend. Huraibi confirmed that pledges were recruited to help package cocaine for resale. He also testified that in November 2023, he and Robinson purchased around 250 grams of cocaine for $10,000 in cash from Abbatiello. Huraibi recalled the drugs being stored in a Ziploc bag at Abbatiello's apartment.
Lars Zeepvat, also charged in the case, waived his preliminary hearing but attended to testify. Zeepvat, a former Penn State student who pledged Sigma Chi in Spring 2021, stated that he is friends with Robert Zanolla, which is how he met Abbatiello, often referred to as 'Augy.' Zeepvat explained that students would buy cocaine in Philadelphia and bring it back to campus. He noted that drug purchases began with personal amounts but escalated by junior year. When local suppliers became unavailable, Zeepvat testified that Abbatiello offered a connection to a dealer in Long Island for larger quantities at a lower cost.
Abbatiello is from Westbury, New York. Thomas and Paul Robinson are from Churchill, Pennsylvania. Paul Robinson, 59, an attorney, faces charges for allegedly helping to conceal evidence related to the operation by hiding a safe containing drugs and cash tied to his son's alleged activities. Thomas Robinson was arrested in December 2024 after allegedly selling cocaine to confidential informants multiple times. His admission to the New England School of Law was subsequently withdrawn.