Penn State cocaine trafficking ring involved 2 fraternities, authorities
say
[August 18, 2026]
\By JOSH KELETY
Thirteen
former or current Penn State University students were criminally charged
Monday on allegations they participated in a cocaine-trafficking ring
that involved two fraternities, authorities said.
Two of
them, who were the main suppliers, made routine trips to Philadelphia
and New York to get large amounts of cocaine, according to the
Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office. The cocaine was then packaged
mainly at the Sigma Chi and Delta Upsilon fraternity houses off-campus
and distributed primarily to Penn State students, the office said. |
Dave Sunday gestures while speaking to the audience in the Forum
Auditorium across the street from the Capitol after taking the oath of
office to become Pennsylvania's next attorney general, Jan. 21, 2025, in
Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy, File) |
|
Part of the operation included indoctrinating some pledges who
were joining the fraternities by having them cut and bag the
cocaine, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said Monday
at a news conference.
“This is very serious criminal conduct. There was nothing junior
or childlike about this type of conduct,” Pennsylvania Attorney
General Dave Sunday said Monday at a news conference. “This was
an upper level trafficking organization for this region in
Pennsylvania.”
A total of 14 defendants — 13 of whom were Penn State University
students at or around the time of the alleged crimes in 2023 and
2024 — were charged Monday. At least four of the defendants are
current students, according to the attorney general’s office.
Four defendants face charges of felony corrupt organizations,
conspiracy and other offenses, while a fifth is charged with
felony conspiracy and other crimes. Eight other student-aged
defendants are charged with misdemeanor counts, like possession.
One defendant, who is the father of a student, is accused of
tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation.
Penn State University said in a news release that the university
is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the college
investigates the incident.
Sigma Chi is not recognized and operates outside of Penn State's
oversight, according to the university.
Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk said in a statement
that the international fraternity was aware of the allegations
and that those involved who had ties to Delta Upsilon were
expelled or suspended if they did not resign.
“We will continue to work closely with the university on any
investigative efforts," Kirk added.
The Sigma Chi headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, did not
immediately respond to a request for comment.
The majority of defendants facing felony charges were arraigned
Monday morning, Sunday said at the news conference.
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