Westbury man among Penn State alumni accused of leading large-scale cocaine trafficking operation

A Westbury man accused of playing a leading role in an alleged cocaine trafficking operation at Penn State University surrendered to Pennsylvania authorities Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to felony charges.

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, a former Penn State student and member of the university’s Sigma Chi fraternity, is among 14 people charged in the case. Prosecutors allege the operation involved two off-campus fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, at Penn State’s University Park campus and primarily took place in 2023 and 2024.

Abbatiello turned himself in Tuesday morning in Centre County, Pennsylvania, after failing to appear for a scheduled arraignment Monday, Newsday reported.

He faces 11 felony charges, including allegations involving corrupt organizations, conspiracy and drug offenses. A judge denied him bail, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday identified Abbatiello as one of the alleged central figures in the operation during a news conference announcing the charges.

Prosecutors allege Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, a Pennsylvania resident and member of Delta Upsilon, supplied much of the cocaine involved in the operation. Investigators allege the pair obtained drugs in New York and Philadelphia and brought them back to State College, Pennsylvania.

Court records cited by Newsday indicate a former business associate told investigators that Abbatiello obtained cocaine from a New York source and made purchases of about 100 grams every three to six weeks. Investigators also allege he purchased a half-kilogram of cocaine for $20,000.

Prosecutors allege the drugs were prepared for distribution and sold through fraternity connections, among friends and at parties held off campus. They also allege some fraternity pledges were involved in cutting and packaging cocaine as part of their initiation.

Abbatiello is one of at least two defendants with ties to Long Island.

Robert Zanolla, 24, of Manhasset, was also charged in the case. According to Channel 7 Eyewitness News, prosecutors allege Zanolla helped transport cocaine from New York City.

The university said in a statement it was “horrified” by the allegations and announced that Delta Upsilon had been placed on interim suspension while the university conducts its own investigation.

“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs, said in the statement.

“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,” she continued.

The university said current students named in the case will go through Penn State’s student conduct process, while Delta Upsilon will be subject to a separate organizational review.

Penn State also clarified that Sigma Chi is not currently a recognized university organization and operates outside the university’s support and oversight.

According to the university, disciplinary proceedings can result in penalties including permanent separation from Penn State for students or organizations found responsible for misconduct.

Penn State also said it is strengthening its hazing-prevention and health and safety education efforts as the fall semester begins.

_{Photo of Agostino Abbatiello from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office / The outside of Sigma Chi in State College Pennsylvania via Google Maps Street View.}