The father involved in the alleged Penn State drug trafficking ring has been assigned a new judge, according to court documents filed on September 16.

Paul Robinson — the father of an alleged leader of the drug operation, Thomas Robinson — has been assigned to Judge Julia R. Rater, while the 13 current or former Penn State students were assigned to President Judge Jonathan D. Grine, who oversaw all 14 preliminary hearings.

The reason for the reassignment to Rater is unclear, though Paul Robinson’s attorney Mike DeRiso told Onward State before Paul Robinson’s arraignment on September 30 that they had “a number of motions ready to go.”

DeRiso’s comments responded to questions about a statement Paul Robinson and DeRiso released to the press about the case.

“I have not lived a perfect life by any means, but the claims and reports about me are not true. I respect the law more than anyone as those that know me I think would say,” Paul Robinson said in the statement. “I tried to do everything right after my son was arrested 2 years ago, and I look forward to telling what actually happened when we have that opportunity.”

Paul Robinson’s hearing, scheduled for November 2, will be rescheduled to a new date and time set by the new judge.

Paul Robinson has been charged with felony tampering and hindering apprehension for trying to conceal evidence in connection with the case. Prosecutors allege that he hid a safe containing drugs and cash for his son.

His son, Thomas Robinson, will appear in court on November 16 for his criminal pretrial conference.

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