Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and former DEA Administrator Derek Maltz have addressed the arrest of 14 individuals linked to a cocaine trafficking operation at Penn State University. Among those arrested are current and former students accused of distributing cocaine using cash apps and Snapchat.
The Office of the Attorney General in Pennsylvania released detailed complaints outlining the roles each suspect allegedly played in the criminal hierarchy. All defendants are legally presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Key Figures in the Alleged Operation
1. Agostino “Pablo Pledgescobar” Abbatiello
Age: 24
Hometown: Westbury, New York
Major: Accounting
Fraternity: Sigma Chi
Prosecutors identify Abbatiello as the kingpin of the operation. He has made the Dean’s list at the university and is known for his interest in finance.
2. Thomas Robinson
Age: 22
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Major: Human Resources and Management
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Robinson is accused of managing downstream logistics and distributing drugs through his fraternity using Snapchat. Informants were crucial in uncovering his role.
3. Mohammed Huraibi
Age: 22
Hometown: Secaucus, New Jersey
Major: Accounting/Finance
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Court documents link Huraibi to the initial introduction of Robinson to Abbatiello. Despite stepping away from some operations, he allegedly continued drug sales.
4. Lars Zeepvat
Age: 24
Hometown: Mendham, New Jersey
Major: Accounting
Fraternity: Sigma Chi
Zeepvat, a close friend of Abbatiello, reportedly sourced cocaine from Philadelphia.
5. Robert Zanolla
Age: 24
Hometown: Manhasset, New York
Fraternity: Sigma Chi
Zanolla allegedly collaborated with Zeepvat to transport cocaine from New York City.
6. Paul Robinson
Age: 59
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
He is accused of aiding his son, Thomas Robinson, by hiding evidence like cocaine and cash.
7. Michael Brogno Jr.
Age: 20
Hometown: Ellicott City, Maryland
Major: Finance
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Brogno is alleged to have packaged and delivered cocaine.
8. Kaden Howe
Age: 22
Hometown: Monmouth Court, New Jersey
Major: Energy Engineering
Fraternity: Acacia
Howe faces charges related to the purchase and delivery of cocaine.
9. Connor Hurleigh
Age: 22
Hometown: Oakdale, New York
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Hurleigh reportedly helped in purchasing and packaging cocaine.
10. Seth Beardsley
Age: 20
Hometown: Mechanicsburgh, Pennsylvania
Major: Supply Chain Information Systems
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Beardsley faces charges for packaging cocaine and using a digital scale in the operation.
11. Daniel Price
Age: 21
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Price is charged with a role in packaging.
12. Kyle Ridpath
Age: 21
Hometown: Media, Pennsylvania
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Ridpath faces similar charges as Price.
13. Liam Smith
Age: 23
Hometown: Garden City, New Jersey
Smith allegedly purchased and helped package cocaine. His links to a fraternity remain unspecified.
14. Charlie Weisman
Age: 20
Hometown: Mount Airy, Maryland
Major: Chemical Engineering
Fraternity: Delta Upsilon
Weisman is accused of assisting in cocaine packaging.