The father of a Penn State student accused in a cocaine trafficking case reportedly assisted in unearthing a buried safe filled with cash linked to his son, according to testimony presented at a pretrial hearing. The safe, allegedly belonging to 23-year-old Thomas “T-Robb” Robinson of Pittsburgh, a central figure in the alleged drug operation, was originally buried following Robinson’s arrest in 2024.

During the hearing, Ryan Matson, a fraternity brother and fellow member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity implicated in the case, testified that he transported the safe to a wooded area and concealed it with leaves after Robinson’s detention. Matson further stated that he later returned to the site accompanied by Robinson’s father, Paul Robinson, a well-known Pittsburgh attorney, to retrieve the safe. According to Matson, Paul Robinson then removed the safe from the location. The current whereabouts of the safe remain unknown.

This account contradicts earlier claims by Paul Robinson, who had stated that he came into possession of the safe while cleaning his son’s room. The conflicting narratives emerged amid broader allegations involving a dozen Delta Upsilon students accused of operating a cocaine distribution ring from the fraternity house at Penn State University.

Following the testimony, a Pennsylvania judge determined that sufficient evidence existed to proceed with felony charges against Paul Robinson for tampering and hindering apprehension. The decision to send the father to trial underscores the court’s assessment of his alleged involvement in attempts to obstruct law enforcement investigations related to the drug ring.

The ongoing case highlights the complex legal challenges surrounding the drug trafficking allegations at Penn State and raises questions about the extent of family members’ roles in shielding accused individuals from prosecution. Further court proceedings are expected to reveal additional details as the trial progresses.