48 Hours: The College Drug Ring Murder

Date: September 18, 2025
Host: CBS News
Correspondent: Peter Van Sant

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of “48 Hours” dives deep into the shocking murder of 21-year-old Danny Petroli, the son of a retired Secret Service agent, in the affluent suburbs of Manassas, Virginia. Led by correspondent Peter Van Sant, the investigation exposes a massive college drug ring operated by so-called “rich kids,” culminating in betrayal, greed, and death. The story scrutinizes the subsequent trial of Justin Wolfe, a college student accused of orchestrating the murder, and the secret world hidden behind the façade of privileged suburban youth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: An Affluent Suburban Tragedy

• Manassas, Virginia: a quiet, prosperous suburb where violent crime was unthinkable.
• The main players were “kids from the best of families,” living in “huge houses” and whose “parents have nice cars, great jobs.”
  • [02:16] "Just a nice neighborhood. Growing up in the suburbs around Manassas, Virginia, all of these kids come from good homes, good families." — Peter Van Sant

The Murder of Danny Petroli

• Danny Petroli was found shot nine times in his car in the spring of 2001.
  • [04:45] “I mean, that gun was fired time and time again into that young man's body.” — Prosecutor Paul Ebert
• Police quickly traced the murder weapon to Owen Barber, a friend connected to both Danny and Justin Wolfe.

Unraveling the Drug Ring

• Police investigations revealed Danny and Justin as central figures in a multi-million-dollar marijuana enterprise.
  • Danny was sourcing up to $360,000 per month in high-grade “chronic” marijuana, mainly from Seattle.
  • [25:22] “We’re able to pin him down to about four and a half million dollars worth of drugs that he had sold.” — Sgt. Greg Pass
• Justin Wolfe, only 19 at the time, earned up to $15,000 a month as a dealer.
  • [13:50] “If you’re selling it by the pound… between $3,300 to $5,000.”

Suburban Drug Culture

• Marijuana was regarded as a commonplace, non-threatening drug among students—everyone smoked, including “your smartest jock to everyday average student.”
• The high cost and potency of “chronic” marijuana made dealing lucrative.
• For the teens, money and lifestyle were major draws.
  • [14:49] “It makes you a movie star in a small town.” — Justin Wolfe
  • [16:08] “We partied lavishly. Only the best vodka… Moet and Cristal and just the most expensive everything.” — Jason Coleman

The Investigation and Evidence

• After the murder, cell phone records, financial “O sheets” (ledgers), and testimony linked Justin to Danny and to Owen Barber, the triggerman.
• The prosecution alleged Justin hired Owen to kill Danny to erase a debt of nearly $70,000.
  • [28:16] “Did the defendant tell you why he wanted you to shoot him? — So he wouldn’t have to pay that money back.” — Prosecutor questioning Owen Barber
• A critical “O sheet” found in Danny’s wallet listed Justin as owing him $66,325.

The Trial: Justin Wolfe on the Stand

• Owen Barber confessed to shooting Danny and testified against Justin, claiming he was paid to do so.
• Justin Wolfe adamantly denied any involvement in the murder, conceding only to drug dealing.
  • [45:12] “I didn’t do this. I mean, I might have to do some time on this drugs, but I had nothing to do with this murder.” — Justin Wolfe
  • [45:40] “I ain’t never hurt nobody in my life. Never.”

The Role of Friends and Family

• Justin’s mother, Terri Steinberg, remained steadfast in asserting her son’s innocence.
  • [10:40] “Justin did not do anything to hurt Danny Petroli and I will go to my grave with that.”
• Friends and ex-girlfriends from high school provided key testimony, some in exchange for immunity.

The Verdict and Aftermath

• The jury deliberated for only about an hour before finding Justin Wolfe guilty of capital murder.

  • [01:13:00] “We, the jury, find the defendant, Justin Michael Wolfe, guilty of capital murder…”

• Jurors cited the phone records and the testimony of Owen Barber and Justin’s girlfriend as persuasive.

  • [01:15:05] “They’re both thugs, they’re both liars… but it was the other circumstantial evidence that just made his story fit.” — Juror Patricia Grisham

• Sentencing phase: The jury ultimately sentenced Justin Wolfe to death.

  • [01:21:22] “We, the jury… unanimously fix his punishment at death.”

• Family and friends expressed shock and devastation at the outcome.

Reflections: Choices and Consequences

• Even in the aftermath, Justin acknowledged the pain his choices had caused his family but maintained his innocence regarding the murder.
  • [01:22:20] “Aren’t you responsible for all that pain? — Yes.”
  • “You did that to your mother…to your family? — Yes.”
• In 2016, Wolfe’s sentence was reduced from death to 41 years in prison.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:45] “This was really an execution. It was a bloody scene. It was a gruesome scene.” — Peter Van Sant
• [07:10] “He doesn’t look like a person who could be a killer in any of these pictures.” — Jennifer Pascarello (about Owen Barber)
• [13:11] “If you’re selling it by the pound… The more money you make, the more you can get.” — Justin Wolfe
• [14:49] “It makes you a movie star in a small town.” — Justin Wolfe
• [28:16] “Did the defendant tell you why he wanted you to shoot him? — So he wouldn’t have to pay that money back.” — Prosecutor & Owen Barber
• [45:12] “I didn’t do this. I mean, I might have to do some time on this drugs, but I had nothing to do with this murder.” — Justin Wolfe
• [01:13:00] “We, the jury, find the defendant, Justin Michael Wolfe, guilty of capital murder…”
• [01:21:22] “We… unanimously fix his punishment at death.” — Jury

Important Timestamps

• 02:16 — Introduction to Manassas’ quiet neighborhood
• 04:45 — Description of the murder scene and initial reactions
• 10:40 — Justin’s mother’s unwavering defense
• 13:00–18:00 — Inside the drug ring: dealing, lifestyle, and parent perspectives
• 25:22 — Law enforcement outlines the scope of the drug enterprise
• 28:00–35:00 — Motive, the O sheet, and murder-night timeline
• 45:00–50:00 — Justin Wolfe’s testimony
• 01:13:00 — Delivery of the verdict
• 01:20:00–01:21:22 — Sentencing phase and pronouncement of the death penalty
• 01:22:20 — Justin reflects on the pain caused to his family
• Final note — Postscript: Sentence reduction to 41 years in 2016

Conclusion

“The College Drug Ring Murder” is a haunting cautionary tale about the illusions of suburban safety, the destructive allure of fast money, and the irreversible consequences of split-second decisions. Through revealing interviews, court testimony, and community reflections, this episode captures not just the unraveling of a secret empire, but also the lives devastated in its wake.

For listeners seeking an in-depth, multidimensional perspective on how a world of privilege can quickly spiral into tragedy, this episode stands as a compelling study in crime, morality, and the complexity of justice.