HARRISBURG, PA — Six defendants accused of felony offenses in an alleged cocaine-trafficking operation involving Penn State University students and two off-campus fraternities will face further proceedings in Centre County Court, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
The cases against Agostino Abbatiello, Mohammed Huraibi, Thomas Robinson, Paul Robinson, Robert Zanolla and Lars Zeepvat were bound over for county court following preliminary hearings or waivers of those hearings, the Attorney General’s Office reported.
During a preliminary hearing Wednesday, witnesses testified that Abbatiello allegedly boasted about his wealth and position within the drug-trafficking operation. Witnesses also described cocaine allegedly being brought to fraternity houses and distributed, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine ordered Abbatiello held for court on all charges following the hearing. Paul Robinson also proceeded with a preliminary hearing and had all charges held for court, while Huraibi, Thomas Robinson, Zanolla and Zeepvat waived their preliminary hearings, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Dave Sunday described the proceedings as significant steps in the prosecution and stated that testimony corroborated allegations of drug dealing over a period of years, primarily involving college students and fraternities.
Grine also modified Abbatiello’s bail to $250,000 secured, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Senior Deputy Attorney General Megan McGoron requested that any money used to post bail be shown to come from a legitimate source. If Abbatiello posts bail, he must surrender his passport and is prohibited from contacting witnesses in the case.
Fourteen people have been charged in the broader case, according to the Attorney General’s Office. Thirteen were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged conduct in 2023 and 2024.
According to investigators and a grand jury presentment, Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson are accused of serving as the primary suppliers for the alleged operation and making regular trips 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 took steps to conceal evidence, including a safe containing drugs and cash, and obstruct the investigation.
Eight defendants facing misdemeanor charges are scheduled for preliminary hearings in October, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Grine also considered a defense motion alleging impropriety by the Attorney General’s Office involving preliminary arraignments and the selection of the magisterial district judge who handled them. According to the Attorney General’s Office, Grine dismissed the defense allegations and determined that the arraignment process was routine.
The State College Police Department filed the charges, and the Pennsylvania 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.
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