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.”
Twenty-four-year-old Robert Zanolla, of Manhasset, is facing charges as well. His bail was set at $250,000.
Court records show two other Long Island residents are also involved in the case.
Liam Smith, of Garden City, and Connor Hurleigh, of Oakdale, have been charged with misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia.
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 released the following statement on Wednesday:
“On Monday, August 17, 2026, Mr. Robert Zanolla voluntarily surrendered himself to authorities to answer to unknown criminal charges brought against him by the Office of Attorney General and the State College Police Department. Mr. Zanolla is presumed innocent of these charges. The criminal charges brought against Mr. Zanolla are mere allegations based on statements of others that have yet to be challenged through cross-examination in open court. Mr. Zanolla respects the judicial process and looks forward to defending himself against these allegations. No further comment or statements will be made at this time.”
