Agostino Abbatiello, 24, of Westbury, New York, has been denied bail after being identified as the alleged ringleader of a cocaine trafficking operation within Penn State University fraternities. Abbatiello surrendered to authorities Tuesday morning after missing his scheduled arraignment Monday.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the charges against Abbatiello and 13 other individuals. The alleged drug ring operated between 2023 and 2024, primarily within off-campus fraternity houses associated with Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi. Abbatiello faces numerous felony charges.
Court documents indicate that pledges within these fraternities were allegedly compelled to cut and package kilograms of cocaine as part of indoctrination rituals. The drugs were reportedly trafficked into the State College area from Philadelphia and New York.
"We are pleased to report that the most significant members of this cocaine-trafficking organization are accounted for, and will have their fair process in court," Attorney General Sunday stated. "These are very serious charges and the next steps will be preliminary hearings."