Eight Defendants Waive Preliminary Hearings Regarding Cocaine Trafficking Ring Involving University Students

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that eight defendants charged with misdemeanors in a State College cocaine-trafficking organization waived preliminary hearings.

The eight defendants are among 14 people in all charged with cocaine-trafficking, in 2023 and 2024, involving Penn State University students and two student fraternities.

Six individuals are charged with felonies, and their cases are also pending.

Those charged with misdemeanors — Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price, and Charles Wiseman — all waived preliminary hearings on Wednesday or in days prior.

According to the investigation and a grand jury presentment, two members of the organization — Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson — were the main suppliers for the group, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine.

The cocaine was then cut and packaged — primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses — and distributed mainly to Penn State University students.

The eight other student-aged defendants charged are facing misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia. Next, they will be formally arraigned in county court.

The cases are being prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General Drug Strike Force Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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