Judge sets $250,000 bail for accused Penn State cocaine trafficking ringleader

Key Points:

• Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine set bail at $250,000 for Agostino Abbatiello, a former Penn State fraternity member accused of leading a cocaine trafficking ring; as of Wednesday, Abbatiello had not posted bail.
• Abbatiello, 24, was arrested last month and charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, with prosecutors alleging he was the main supplier selling cocaine to fraternity members.
• Thirteen others, including current and former students and a former student's father, were also arrested; several co-defendants testified against Abbatiello during his bail hearing.
• Abbatiello's attorney filed an emergency motion disputing the denial of bail, arguing Abbatiello posed no threat and accusing prosecutors of judge-shopping; Abbatiello had been initially denied bail and held at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
• The investigation involves two fraternities, Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon, with Abbatiello allegedly enlisting fraternity members to package and distribute cocaine; Penn State suspended the Sigma Chi chapter following the arrests.