Westbury man accused of leading Penn State cocaine ring turns himself in
He is one of 14 people facing charges in connection with the alleged operation.
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A Westbury man accused of leading a cocaine operation at Penn State University is now behind bars.
Agostino Abbatiello, 24, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday and was denied bail, according to prosecutors.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office says Abbatiello allegedly ran the drug operation out of off-campus fraternity houses from 2023 through 2024. Investigators say cocaine was transported from New York and Philadelphia, then cut, packaged and sold to Penn State students.
Abbatiello is one of 14 people facing charges in connection with the alleged operation.
News 12 went to Abbatiello’s Westbury home seeking answers. No one there responded to questions about the case.
One neighbor, Roger Black, said he was alarmed by the allegations.
“Why would you do something like that?” Black said. “As far as I know he came from a relatively peaceful family, so I really can’t fathom it.”
Another Long Islander, 24-year-old Robert Zanolla, of Manhasset, is also facing charges. His bail was set at $250,000.
Penn State said the alleged activities took place off campus, but the university placed the Delta Upsilon fraternity on interim suspension after learning about the charges. The university said it is conducting its own investigation.
Abbatiello’s attorney did not return News 12’s request for comment.
Zanolla’s attorney told News 12 a statement will be released Wednesday.
