HARRISBURG, PA — Eight defendants charged with misdemeanor drug offenses in an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving Penn State University students and two fraternities have waived their preliminary hearings, advancing their cases toward formal arraignment in county court.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said the eight are among 14 people charged in connection with an alleged drug distribution network operating in State College during 2023 and 2024.
The defendants who waived their preliminary hearings Wednesday or earlier are Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman.
All eight face misdemeanor charges involving drug possession and paraphernalia.
According to investigators and a grand jury presentment, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson allegedly served as the organization’s principal cocaine suppliers, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York to obtain large quantities of the drug.
Authorities alleged that the cocaine was subsequently cut and packaged, primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, before being distributed mainly to Penn State students.
Six defendants face felony charges in connection with the alleged trafficking operation. Their cases remain pending, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The eight misdemeanor defendants are scheduled to proceed to formal arraignment in county court following their waivers of preliminary hearings.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General’s Drug Strike Force Section is prosecuting the cases.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.