2 local men charged in alleged Penn State University drug trafficking operation

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Court documents filed in connection with what authorities describe as a major drug trafficking operation linked to Penn State University show that two of the defendants are from the Philadelphia area and face misdemeanor drug-related charges.

Kyle Ridpath of Media and Daniel Price of Torresdale, both 21, are each charged with two misdemeanors.

According to court documents, Ridpath and Price possessed cocaine and packaged cocaine in plastic bags in March 2024 at the direction of one of the alleged leaders of the operation, Thomas Robinson.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said investigators found that cocaine was packaged at fraternity houses with the involvement of fraternity members and pledges.

"The evidence showed the cocaine was primarily packaged at the fraternity houses and the packaging was primarily done by fraternity brothers and oftentimes fraternity pledges," Sunday said.

READ MORE | 14 charged in alleged cocaine trafficking ring tied to Penn State fraternities; leader surrenders

Newly released court documents allege Robinson used the nickname "T-Rob" when communicating with a confidential informant and accepted payment for cocaine through the Venmo account "Tom-Robinson-53."

The documents also state that when Robinson was arrested in 2024 at the Delta Upsilon fraternity house, he "thought the officers were his fraternity brothers playing a prank on him."

Authorities also allege Robinson used a personal Snapchat account to arrange drug transactions.

Officers used a Taser when taking him into custody in 2024.

The attorney general's office alleges the drug network transported drugs from New York and Philadelphia to State College, where they were packaged and sold. Of the 14 people charged, 13 were Penn State students at the time, according to authorities.

Investigators identified senior fraternity members Agostino Abbatiello and Robinson as organizers of the operation. Robinson's father also has been charged.

Abbatiello turned himself in Tuesday and was denied bail.

According to the attorney general, drugs were cut and packaged at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses. Authorities said six defendants face felony charges, while eight student-aged defendants are charged with misdemeanors. The attorney general said the cutting and packaging of cocaine was used to indoctrinate some fraternity pledges.

Ridpath and Price are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings in October.

Action News attempted to contact both men and Ridpath's attorney but had not received responses. No attorney was listed for Price.