Florida motorcycle gang members charged in death of rival

Five members of a Florida west coast motorcycle gang Friday were indicted in multiple crimes, including murder.

The Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney Office in Tampa announced the charges against five members of the 69'ers Motorcycle Club. Indicted were Christopher Brian Cosimano, aka "Durty," 30 of Gibstonton; Michael Dominick Mencher,  aka “Pumpkin,” 51, of Tarpon Springs; Allan Burt Guinto, aka “Big Beefy,” 27, Brandon; Erick Richard Robinson, aka “Big E,” 45, of Zephyrhills; and Cody James Wesling, aka “Little Savage,” 27, of Riverview. They were indicted on multiple violent crimes in aid of racketeering activity, including conspiracy, murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon. They have also been charged with firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking.

Cosimano, Mencher, Guinto, Wesling, and Robinson were members of the 69’ers Motorcycle Club, a criminal organization whose members and associates engaged in acts of violence and narcotics distribution, the indictment stated.

On Dec. 21, Cosimano, Mencher, Guinto, and Wesling shot and killed Paul Anderson, the president of the Cross Bayou Chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. Cosimano also shot and wounded James Costa, the president of the St. Petersburg Chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, on July 25.

If convicted of all charges, Cosimano, Mencher, Guinto, and Wesling each face a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. If convicted of all charges, Robinson faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Robinson and Wesling were arrested yesterday and will make their initial appearances today at 2:00 p.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Anthony Porcelli. Cosimano, Mencher, and Guinto are currently in state custody and will make their initial appearances on a later date.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Tampa Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the State Attorney’s Office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carlton C. Gammons and Natalie Hirt Adams.


USA - BN.

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