Penn State Cocaine Ring Busted After Dealer Used Venmo

A cocaine trafficking ring operating through two Penn State University fraternities was busted after a dealer accepted Venmo payments for drugs under his real name.

Authorities were tipped off that Thomas Robinson, 23, was selling cocaine from the Delta Upsilon Fraternity House under the nickname "T-Rob." Robinson was reportedly accepting payments via Venmo under the name "Tom-Robinson." The alleged kingpin of the operation, dubbed "Pablo Pledgescobar," has surrendered to authorities and was denied bail. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday's office announced charges against 14 individuals on Monday.

These include four current students, nine former students, and Robinson's father, Paul Robinson, a prominent Pittsburgh attorney. Prosecutors allege Paul Robinson attempted to conceal evidence after the investigation into his son began. The alleged multi-state drug ring operated out of the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses, moving large amounts of cocaine on the Pennsylvania campus in 2023 and 2024.

Robinson and Agostino Abbatiello, 24, allegedly served as the main suppliers, making numerous trips to New York City and Philadelphia to acquire large quantities of cocaine. The drugs were then reportedly cut and packaged at the fraternity houses for resale, primarily to Penn State students. For some pledges, cutting and packaging cocaine was an indoctrination into the fraternities.