Penn State Student Accused of Becoming Campus ‘Godfather’ as Witness Describes Rise of Alleged Cocaine Network

Agostino S. Abbatiello, 24, arrives at the Centre County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday.James Keivom for NY Post

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Agostino Sebastiano Abbatiello arrived at Penn State as an accounting student from Long Island. By his senior year, according to testimony heard Wednesday, he had allegedly transformed into one of the most recognizable figures in the university’s party scene — a man friends called “The Godfather” and prosecutors accuse of sitting near the top of a sprawling cocaine-trafficking network.

At a preliminary and bail hearing in Centre County, former friend and alleged accomplice Lars Zeepvat described how Abbatiello’s image and social standing changed as his involvement with cocaine allegedly expanded.

“I saw a difference in Auggie,” Zeepvat testified. “He started selling for money. And he started selling for popularity.”

The testimony offered one of the most detailed accounts yet of how prosecutors believe an alleged fraternity-based cocaine operation grew at Penn State, with drugs allegedly moving from suppliers in New York and Philadelphia into fraternity houses, apartments and the wider student community.

Abbatiello, 24, faces numerous felony charges, including possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy, corrupt organizations and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity. The charges are allegations, and he has not been convicted.

From Fraternity Life to Alleged Drug Distribution

Agostino Abbatiello, 24, is accused of leading a cocaine ring out of frat houses at Penn State.AG Dave Sunday

Abbatiello joined Sigma Chi during the fall semester of his sophomore year in 2021, according to Zeepvat’s testimony.

The two men and other friends later began making trips to Philadelphia to obtain cocaine. By their junior year, Zeepvat testified, they were selling the drug as well as using it themselves.

The operation allegedly began escalating after Abbatiello established a connection with a dealer known as “RJ,” whom he knew from high school on Long Island.

Zeepvat testified that Abbatiello’s first purchase from RJ involved approximately 100 grams — considerably more cocaine than the group had previously seen at once.

“People were enamored with how much it was,” Zeepvat told the court.

According to his testimony, Abbatiello brought the cocaine back from New York and displayed it in a social room at the fraternity house.

The drugs were allegedly divided into smaller quantities and sold for between $60 and $120 per bag.

Prosecutors contend Abbatiello’s role continued expanding from there.

Court records and reporting on the wider investigation allege that he supplied cocaine to fraternity members and other Penn State students between January 2023 and November 2024. Witnesses in the grand jury investigation described him as a major supplier, while authorities allege cocaine distribution linked to him continued as recently as February 2026.

‘Selling for Popularity’

Abbatiello, was nicknamed “The Godfather” at the school, after the famous mob movie.Getty Images

Zeepvat’s testimony portrayed Abbatiello’s alleged drug dealing as driven by more than money.

He claimed his friend became increasingly interested in the social status that came with having access to large quantities of cocaine.

By senior year, Zeepvat said, Abbatiello was handling larger amounts while his lifestyle was also changing.

The accounting student, who reportedly made the dean’s list, began spending money on clothing and expensive purchases, according to the testimony. Zeepvat claimed one purchase was a bong costing about $5,000.

He also described Abbatiello gambling with sums reaching as high as $10,000 at a time.

At the same time, Abbatiello was allegedly becoming increasingly well known around campus.

Eventually, Zeepvat said, he acquired the nickname “The Godfather.”

Other witnesses testifying Wednesday similarly described Abbatiello as occupying a powerful position within the alleged network. Local reporting characterized their testimony as placing him at the “top of the food chain,” while witnesses described him boasting about his money and status.

Apartment Allegedly Became an Afterparty Destination

Lars Zeepvat, far left in a black shirt, is pictured in a photo posted to Instagram on Sept. 27, 2021.Instagram/Sigma Chi Alpha Chi Chapter

When Abbatiello moved into an apartment near the end of his junior year, Zeepvat testified, the residence became a frequent destination after parties ended elsewhere.

“Auggie’s apartment was known as the afters party,” he told the court.

Zeepvat said groups of roughly three to 12 people would gather there.

According to his testimony, Abbatiello sometimes placed cocaine on a table for guests to use without paying. On other occasions, people were charged for individual lines depending on their relationship with him.

Zeepvat also acknowledged his own cocaine use.

He told the court that he had developed a problem with the drug and said his relationship with Abbatiello provided him with easy access to it.

The testimony came from someone prosecutors say was himself involved in the alleged operation, making his account part of the evidence that will be tested as the criminal proceedings continue.

Prosecutors Say Network Reached Multiple Fraternities

The home of Agostino Abbatiello in Westbury, NY.Dennis A. Clark for NY Post

The case extends far beyond Abbatiello.

Pennsylvania authorities allege a large cocaine-trafficking organization operated around Penn State and involved members associated with the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternities.

Investigators say the network obtained cocaine from suppliers in Philadelphia and New York before distributing it in State College.

According to prosecutors, 13 of the people charged were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged activity in 2023 and 2024. Separate local reporting lists 14 defendants in the broader case.

Authorities allege Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, 23, were among the principal suppliers.

The investigation began in September 2024, when police used confidential informants to conduct controlled cocaine purchases from Robinson, according to reporting based on the grand jury investigation.

After his arrest, Robinson allegedly identified Abbatiello as his primary supplier.

Authorities say regular trips were made to Philadelphia and New York to acquire larger quantities of cocaine that were then brought back to the Penn State area.

Prosecutors have also alleged that younger fraternity pledges were made to participate in cutting and packaging cocaine before it was distributed to students.

Abbatiello’s Bail Reduced to $250,000

Wednesday’s hearing also produced a significant development in Abbatiello’s custody status.

He had been held without bail after surrendering to authorities on Aug. 18. His attorneys subsequently filed an emergency request seeking his release, arguing that his continued detention violated his constitutional rights.

Defense attorney Philip M. Masorti emphasized that Abbatiello had no prior criminal record and could live with his parents while the case proceeded.

President Judge Jonathan Grine ultimately ordered Abbatiello’s charges held for the Court of Common Pleas and reduced his bail to $250,000.

The court attached several conditions to any release.

Abbatiello must surrender his passport, live with his parents, refrain from substance use and avoid contact with witnesses. His parents must also transport him to court proceedings.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Megan McGoron requested proof that any money used to post bail came from a legitimate source.

Abbatiello subsequently posted bail and was released from the Centre County Correctional Facility Wednesday afternoon, according to local reporting.

Co-Defendants Take the Stand

Several other defendants in the wider case waived their preliminary hearings, and some testified against Abbatiello during Wednesday’s proceedings.

Their accounts offered prosecutors an opportunity to describe the internal structure of the alleged operation through people accused of participating in it themselves.

Witnesses testified about cocaine entering fraternity houses, being distributed among students and Abbatiello allegedly presenting himself as the leader of the organization.

The testimony remains allegations presented during preliminary proceedings rather than findings of guilt.

Abbatiello’s case will now move forward in Centre County Court of Common Pleas.

What prosecutors are attempting to establish is a striking trajectory: a Penn State accounting student who allegedly discovered that access to cocaine brought him not only money but the social recognition he wanted — and then expanded that role until, according to witnesses, he was no longer simply another participant in the campus party scene.

He had become the man they called “The Godfather.”