A Penn State student accused of being a drug kingpin in a cocaine trafficking ring was tasered and arrested after he reportedly believed the police raid was a fraternity prank. Thomas Robinson, 23, was charged with resisting arrest in December 2024 when he allegedly thought officers were his fraternity brothers.
Authorities were alerted to Robinson's alleged drug activity by a confidential informant who reported that a male using the nickname "T-Rob" was selling large quantities of cocaine from the Delta Upsilon fraternity house. The informant also told authorities that the alleged drug kingpin accepted payment through a Venmo account with the username "Tom-Robinson."
A search of Robinson's dorm room at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house uncovered over 8 grams of cocaine, nearly 8 ounces of marijuana, and more than 200 amphetamine and dextroamphetamine pills, according to a criminal complaint. Robinson was charged with multiple offenses between September and December 2024, including drug manufacturing and delivery, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Robinson reportedly implicated Agostino Abbatiello, described as a ringleader of the operation and a fellow student at Sigma Chi, who allegedly supplied him with cocaine. It is unclear if Robinson has entered a plea, and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for next month.
Robinson's father, Paul Robinson, a practicing attorney in Pittsburgh, was also implicated in the scandal. He faces charges of felony tampering and hindering apprehension for allegedly attempting to conceal evidence, including a safe containing cash and drugs, and obstructing the investigation.
The Delta Upsilon fraternity chapter has been placed on interim suspension following the investigation's findings. Robinson's LinkedIn profile indicates he works as a salesperson at "Kab Incorporated" and previously held a position as a "laborer" at United States Steel Corporation.