Alleged Ringleader Of Penn State Coke Ring Pleads For Release On Bail

STATE COLLEGE, PA — The alleged ringleader of a Penn State cocaine ring challenged the denial of his bail on Tuesday, the day before his preliminary hearing on numerous criminal charges.

The attorney for Agostino Abbatiello, Philip Masorti, filed an 88-page emergency motion that asserted Abbatiello should be released on his own recognizance.

Abbatiello "voluntarily returned from Florida and surrendered to authorities," Masorti said in a prepared statement. "He has no criminal record, no history of flight, and, after a two-year investigation, the motion states that law enforcement never asserted that he used violence, threatened violence, or was seen with a weapon.

Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine ruled a short time after the motion was filed that the bail issue will be addressed on Wednesday.

Abaatiello, 24, of Westbury, NY, was one of 14 people arrested last month who allegedly were involved in the lucrative cocaine operation involving two fraternities.

He was arraigned on 11 felony counts, including multiple counts for possession with intent to deliver (cocaine) and conspiracy.

Citing the seriousness of the charges and deeming Abbatiello, 24, of New York, a flight risk, Magisterial District Judge Kelley Gillette-Walker denied bail.

Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, both Penn State students at the time allegedly were the main suppliers for the criminal organization, which operated chiefly in 2023 and 2024.