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Penn State Frat Bro Allegedly Made to Deliver Cocaine After He Couldn’t Repay $1,500 Spring Break Debt
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Lars Zeepvat is among 13 former and current Penn State students accused of participating in a cocaine-trafficking operation that authorities say involved packaging the drug at fraternity houses and distributing it to students.
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
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Thirteen former and current Penn State students have been charged in an alleged cocaine-trafficking ring
The alleged scheme involved two fraternities, Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi
One of the defendants claims the operation’s leader forced him to deliver cocaine after he was unable to repay $1,500 he had borrowed to pay for a spring break trip, according to the grand jury indictment
One of the 13 people charged in an alleged drug-trafficking ring involving two Penn State fraternities claims that one of the operation’s leader forced him to deliver cocaine after he was unable to repay $1,500 he had borrowed to pay for a spring break trip, according to the grand jury indictment.
Lars Zeepvat, 24, one of 13 current and former Penn State students accused in the scheme, told authorities that Agostino Abbatiello, 24, was the largest distributor of cocaine at Penn State University from 2023 to 2024 and would boast about how much money he was making from selling the drug, the indictment alleges.
Zeepvat, who was a member of Sigma Chi, said that he and Abbatiello were close friends and worked together to distribute drugs.
According to the indictment, Zeepvat told investigators he used cocaine when he first went to Penn State and had a source in Philadelphia who supplied him and other fraternity brothers, including Abbatiello. After that source stopped communicating with him, Zeepvat said he and Abbatiello sought out a new supplier, with Abbatiello finding one in his hometown on Long Island who would provide them with large amounts of cocaine.
Zeepvat said that after the New York source was obtained around spring 2023, Abbatiello bought 100 grams of cocaine from the person.
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“Once he made this large purchase, Zeepvat described a shift in Abbatiello, and it was clear to him that Abbatiello was now selling drugs for profit, rather than sourcing it for himself and a few friends,” the grand jury indictment alleges.
Abbatiello allegedly expanded his cocaine sales beyond the fraternity house to other fraternities and students, according to the indictment. Zeepvat allegedly told investigators that he and another fraternity brother made three trips to purchase large amounts of drugs for Abbatiello. When they did, Abbatiello would pay them in either cash or discounted cocaine.
When Zeepvat and Abbatiello would return with cocaine, the indictment alleges, Abbatiello had fraternity brothers or roommates help him cut and package the drug into smaller amounts for distribution.
On one occasion, Zeepvat alleges, Abbatiello loaned him $1,500 to go on a spring break trip with other fraternity brothers. When he was unable to repay the loan, the indictment alleges, Abbatiello made him deliver cocaine for him.
Abbatiello and Zeepvat are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and other offenses, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced this week.
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Abbatiello surrendered Tuesday after failing to appear for a scheduled arraignment Monday and was ordered jailed without bail.
Abbatiello’s attorney declined to comment Thursday. Zeepvat’s attorney did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Zeepvat could not be reached for comment.
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