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STATE COLLEGE -- Six defendants charged with felonies in an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving Penn State students and two off-campus fraternities will have their cases proceed to Centre County Court.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced Wednesday that charges against Agostino Abbatiello, Mohammed Huraibi, Thomas Robinson, Paul Robinson, Robert Zanolla and Lars Zeepvat were bound over for court following preliminary hearings or waivers of those hearings.
Abbatiello is accused of being a primary supplier for the alleged operation, which authorities said involved members of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities.
During a preliminary hearing Wednesday, witnesses testified about cocaine being delivered to fraternity houses and distributed there. Witnesses also testified that Abbatiello boasted about his wealth and his position in the alleged trafficking operation, according to the Attorney General's Office.
Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine ordered Abbatiello to stand trial on all charges. Paul Robinson also proceeded with a preliminary hearing, after which his charges were held for court. The remaining defendants waived their preliminary hearings.
"These were essential steps in the prosecution of defendants who each had very significant roles in this upper-level trafficking operation," Sunday said. "There was testimony today that corroborated our charges alleging drug-dealing for a period of years, mainly involving college students and fraternities."
Grine also modified Abbatiello's bail to $250,000 secured. Prosecutors requested that any money used to post bail be shown to have come from a legitimate source. If released on bail, Abbatiello must surrender his passport and is prohibited from contacting witnesses in the case.
Fourteen people have been charged in connection with the investigation. Thirteen were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged activity in 2023 and 2024, according to the Attorney General's Office.
Investigators allege Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson served as the primary suppliers for the organization and regularly traveled to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of cocaine.
Paul Robinson, Thomas Robinson's father, is charged with felony hindering apprehension. Authorities allege he attempted to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstructed the investigation.
Eight other defendants facing misdemeanor charges are scheduled for preliminary hearings in October.
During Wednesday's proceedings, Grine also considered a motion from Abbatiello's attorney alleging impropriety by the Attorney General's Office involving preliminary arraignments and the selection of the magisterial district judge who handled them. Grine dismissed the allegations and determined the arraignment process was routine, according to the Attorney General's Office.
State College police filed the charges, and the cases are being prosecuted by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General's Drug Strike Force Section.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.