Prosecutors say some pledges were made to cut and package drugs as part of their fraternity initiation
A US grand jury indicted 14 people for allegedly operating a drug ring inside two fraternities at Pennsylvania State University (PSU), where pledges were allegedly forced to cut and package cocaine as part of their initiation.
According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, 13 of the defendants were students in 2023 and 2024, when the crimes allegedly occurred. The remaining defendant is the father of a student and is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation. At least four of those charged are current students.
Investigators alleged that the group brought “large quantities” of cocaine from Philadelphia and New York, cut and packaged the drugs mainly at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, and distributed them to PSU students. The state attorney general’s office named Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson as “the main suppliers” for the group.
“This was a coordinated and highly-profitable drug-trafficking crew revolving around two senior members of the fraternities, other fraternity brothers, and pledges,” Sunday said.
“In fact, according to the evidence uncovered, cutting and packaging cocaine was, for some pledges, an indoctrination into the fraternities,” he added.
The university released a statement saying it was “horrified by these serious allegations.”
“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,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for Student Affairs.
Dowhower added that the university would review Delta Upsilon, while Sigma Chi was not a recognized organization at PSU and therefore fell outside the university’s oversight.
Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said the defendants had been expelled or suspended if they had not already resigned. “We will continue to work closely with the university on any investigative efforts,” Kirk said.
A staple of US college culture, fraternities are selective social organizations that have at times faced scrutiny over excessive partying and initiation rituals involving hazing. In February, three members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Northern Arizona University were charged in connection with the death of a student during a hazing ritual.
