‘Top of the chain’ alleged ringleader behind Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring turns himself in
A Long Island kid who grew up in a spacious $1.4 million Westbury manse was one of the alleged ringleaders of a lucrative cocaine ring run out of a pair of Penn State University frat houses, authorities said.
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Agostino Abbatiello, 24, surrendered to Pennsylvania prosecutors Tuesday morning to face charges of possession with intent to deliver cocaine and conspiracy after being busted for allegedly peddling drugs through the frats.
The Nassau County native — who was at the “very top of the chain” in the crime ring, according to prosecutors — had failed to show up for a Monday arraignment and is now being held without bail.
Abbatiello allegedly ran the ring along with Thomas Robinson, the son of prominent Pittsburgh attorney Paul Robinson, who was also implicated in the ring and hit with felony charges of concealing evidence.
The elder Robinson, a former frat brother who was a member of Delta Sigma Phi and Phi Alpha Delta while in college and law school, is a managing partner with Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck.
Both accused ringleaders graduated two years ago, but continued to deal even after leaving the frat house, according to prosecutors.
Abbatiello was described as an accounting major on the dean’s list with a “passion for numbers and financial storytelling,” according to now-deleted pages on the Penn State site.
He lives in a roomy single-family home in Westbury, according to property records.
Neighbors told Fox News Digital that Abbatiello “had a good job in accounting” and was “doing well.”
“They were all taken care of, spoon-fed,” the neighbor told the outlet, adding that Abbatiello has two siblings around the same age. “They weren’t the kind of kids to take the garbage out or shovel the snow.”
Follow the latest on the cocaine trafficking ring run by Penn State frat bros:
- 13 Penn State frat bros busted in cocaine trafficking ring — including Long Island student at ‘top of the chain’
- ‘Top of the chain’ alleged ringleader behind Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring turns himself in
- Dad busted in Penn State frat bro cocaine trafficking ring case is prominent Pittsburgh lawyer
- Penn State frat house gave TikTok tour hours before being busted as cocaine den
Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson — of Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities, respectively — were allegedly the main suppliers in the scheme, with Abbatiello frequently traveling to Philadelphia and New York to pick up large quantities of cocaine from suppliers between 2023 and 2024.
When an undercover cop busted Robinson, the alleged dealer told authorities Abbatiello sold him batches of cocaine of up to one kilogram — well over two pounds — for as much as $22,000,.
Abbatiello allegedly distributed cocaine as recently as February 2026, according to the complaint.
Two other frat members have been charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office said.
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More than a dozen Penn State fraternity bros were busted for running the ring that forced young pledges to cut and bag the drugs then sold to students, according to prosecutors.
The fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, allegedly coordinated with suppliers in New York and Philadelphia, trafficking in the cocaine and distributing it mainly to Penn State students.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement Monday.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities,” Sunday added.
When he learned law enforcement was interviewing individuals about Penn State drug dealing, he reportedly “begged them not to talk about his involvement.”
Abbatiello’s dad, Mario Abbatiello, told The Post Tuesday: “We have no comment. We have nothing to do with this. We have no comment.”
The Post has contacted Abbatiello’s lawyer for comment.
A second Long Islander — Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset — is also charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility.
Also charged, with misdemeanors, are: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman.
Paul Robinson, Thomas’ father, is charged with felony tampering, hindering apprehension for taking steps to conceal evidence in the case, including a safe stuffed with cash and drugs and obstructing the investigation, federal prosecutors said.
The elder Robinson was treasurer for Delta Sigma Phi as an undergrad, and a member of Phi Alpha Delta while in law school, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is currently a managing attorney at Meyer Darragh based in Pittsburgh.
Penn State has since suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the frat and said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and operates outside its supervision.
“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs.
“Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
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