Charges Move Forward, Bail Granted for Alleged Leader of Penn State Fraternity Drug Ring

Updated 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026.

The alleged leader of a cocaine trafficking ring that operated out of two Penn State fraternities was granted bail on Wednesday as the charges against him moved forward.

Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine set straight bail at $250,000 for Agostino S. Abatiello, 24, following a preliminary hearing in Bellefonte. Abbatiello previously had bail denied and had been detained at the county correctional facility since his Aug. 18 preliminary arraignment.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Megan McGoron had asked Grine to set a “significant” bail amount, while defense attorney Philip Masorti sought unsecured bail of $200,000.

State prosecutors said Abatiello did not appear for his original preliminary arraignment on Aug. 17, and District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker called him a flight risk and danger to the public in denying bail.

Masorti argued that Abbatiello has never been accused of violence, never attempted flight to avoid apprehension and had not been found with weapons or drugs. Masorti said he attempted to reschedule the preliminary arraignment, and that Abbatiello quit his job as a financial consultant in Florida and drove to Pennsylvania to surrender.

Abbatiello agreed to live with his parents in New York, turn over his passport and not use alcohol or drugs as part of the bail conditions.

County inmate records showed Abbatiello, who was the only defendant in the case denied bail, posted bond and was no longer in custody as of late Wednesday afternoon. Masorti confirmed that Abbatiello was returning home with his family.

“From the beginning, we have maintained that holding Agostino without bail was neither necessary nor justified,” Masorti said. “He is not accused of committing an act of violence. He did not flee. When he learned of the charges, he left his job in Florida, traveled to Pennsylvania and surrendered himself to authorities. Today’s decision represents an important correction in how his pretrial detention is being handled.”

The bail decision came after Grine ruled that sufficient evidence existed for the 11 felony charges against Abbatiello to be bound over for trial.

Abbatiello is accused of trafficking large amounts of cocaine from New York to State College, where it was cut and packaged for distribution by members of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities in 2023 and 2024. Witnesses have said Abbatiello was the biggest dealer of cocaine to Penn State students.

Three other men charged with felonies in the case — Thomas M. Robinson, 23, Mohammed S. Huraibi, 22, and Robert A. Zanolla, 24 — waived their preliminary hearings. Both Robinson and Huraibi, as well as Lars R. Zeepvat, who previously waived his hearing, each testified against Abbatiello on Wednesday.

Zeepvat, who with Abbatiello was a member of Sigma Chi, testified that in 2022, they and Zanolla pooled money to buy small amounts of cocaine for use among their friends from Zeepvat’s contact in Philadelphia. When that contact stopped communicating with Zeepvat and after looking unsuccessfully for a source in the State College area, Abbatiello found a supplier near his hometown on Long Island who could provide cocaine in larger amounts and at cheaper rates than they had previously paid, Zeepvat said.

Abbatiello first bought 100 grams from the source, then larger quantities, and it soon became clear he was selling cocaine for a profit, not merely buying it for use in his social circle, Zeepvat said. He added that he noticed a “shift” in his friend, who began buying new clothes, making references to “The Godfather” and purchased a $5,000 bong.

Zeepvat sometimes sold half-gram and gram bags of the drug for Abbatiello and received a small percentage or free cocaine in exchange, he testified. He said at least three people were dealing for Abbatiello, and that while Abbatiello was living at the Sigma Chi house, pledges were sometimes made to package cocaine for him. Zeepvat also testified that when he borrowed $1500 for a spring break trip, Abbatiello made him pay it back by selling cocaine.

Robinson and Huraibi, who were both members of Delta Upsilon, said they began talking about selling cocaine in the spring of 2023, and that Huraibi knew Abbatiello could be their supplier. Starting that August, they began arranging purchases, with Huraibi contacting Abbatiello through Snapchat, both men said.

They first acquired 100 grams from Abbatiello for $4,000 then split it into smaller packages for resale, they said. Robinson testified that they purchased larger amounts over the following months, growing to 250 grams for $15,000 by early 2024.

After Huraibi said he no longer wanted to be involved, he connected Robinson directly with Abbatiello. Robinson said he primarily sold cocaine to his fraternity brothers and to other fraternities, who would buy packages ranging from 4 to 8 ounces.

In March, Robinson testified, he upped his purchase from Abbatiello to 500 grams, and began buying kilos starting in July and continuing into the fall.

State College Police Department Detective Donald Paul learned from a confidential informant in September that Robinson was selling cocaine. Between October and December, informants made six controlled purchases of the drug from Robinson, Paul testified.

Robinson was arrested in December 2024 and at his preliminary hearing said that he wished to cooperate with investigators. He then identified Abbatiello as the supplier, and Paul said it became clear the case was “more extensive.”

All witnesses who were familiar with the operation and appeared before the grand jury testified that Abbatiello was at “the top of the food chain,” Paul said.

Zeepvat said that in July 2025, Abbatiello told him he received a letter to appear before the grand jury and when Zeepvat received the same, Abbatiello pleaded with him not to cooperate. Even after he was aware of the investigation, though, Abbatiiello regularly had cocaine on him, Zeepvat testified.

Abbatiello is charged with one count of criminal organizations, nine counts of possession with intent to deliver and one count of criminal use of a communication facility.

“The public should remember that testimony at a preliminary hearing is not a verdict,” Masorti said. “The defense had its first opportunity to begin examining the credibility, recollections and motivations of individuals upon whose testimony the Commonwealth intends to rely. Those issues will be scrutinized carefully as this case proceeds.

“Agostino remains presumed innocent. The defense will continue to challenge the evidence, test the credibility of the Commonwealth’s witnesses and insist that Agostino receive the same constitutional protections and fair process afforded to every person accused of a crime.”

Grine also bound over for trial Thomas Robinson’s father, 59-year-old Paul Robinson, who is accused of concealing evidence — namely his son’s safe containing drugs and cash. During his preliminary hearing on Wednesday afternoon, his attorneys sought to show that there was no evidence the elder Robinson had any knowledge of what was in the safe.

In total, six people facing felony counts in the case have charges held for trial following preliminary hearings or waived hearings.

“These were essential steps in the prosecution of defendants who each had very significant roles in this upper-level trafficking operation,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. “There was testimony today that corroborated our charges alleging drug-dealing for a period of years, mainly involving college students and fraternities.”

Eight more current and former Penn State students are facing misdemeanor charges in the case, with preliminary hearings scheduled for October.