Accused Penn State cocaine ringleader arrives in cuffs for hearing in drug trafficking case

· New York Post

The accused ringleader of a cocaine trafficking operation run out of two Penn State frat houses was hauled into a Pennsylvania court, along with his alleged henchmen, for a hearing Wednesday morning.

Long Island-native Agostino Abbatiello, 24, arrived at the courthouse clad in a red prison jumpsuit with his hands shackled — and fist-bumped his lawyer as he entered the courtroom.

His alleged accomplice in the drug ring, Thomas Robinson, his attorney father Paul Robinson, and several other alleged conspirators in the case were also among those who appeared at Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

Agostino S. Abbatiello, 24, arrives at the Centre County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Bellefonte, Pa. James Keivom for NY Post
Abbatiello is among 14 defendants prosecutors are seeking to try together in connection with an alleged drug distribution ring operating through the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities in State College. James Keivom for NY Post

The group faces a slew of criminal charges after authorities discovered that members of the Penn State fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, reportedly coordinated with cocaine suppliers in New York and Philadelphia.

Thirteen of the frat bros were busted for running the cocaine trafficking ring that forced young pledges to cut and bag the drugs, which were then peddled to students, according to prosecutors.

Abbatiello, the accused ringleader of the illicit operation, claimed in a motion on Monday that he was being unfairly held without bail and asked for the hearing to be postponed.

The Delta Upsilon Fraternity House is pictured at Penn State. Fraternity brother Thomas Robinson was charged with running a cocaine empire from his dorm room at the house, allegedly accepting Venmo payments for drugs under his own name. Google Maps
Attorney General Dave Sunday announces charges against 14 students involved in a campus drug ring that trafficked cocaine into Penn State. X / @PAAttorneyGen

A Court of Common Pleas in Centre County said that Masorti’s motion was “moot” and allowed Wednesday’s hearing to continue as planned, according to court records.

His attorney said he was withdrawing the request for a continuance and was ready to proceed.