Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Christopher Brian Cosimano, a/k/a “Durty,” (31, Gibsonton) and Michael Dominick Mencher, a/k/a “Pumpkin,” (52, Tarpon Springs) guilty of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, murder in aid of racketeering, and related firearms offenses. Cosimano and Mencher face a mandatory penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Cosimano and Mencher were indicted, along with three codefendants who later pleaded guilty, on May 22, 2018. Cosimano and Mencher went to trial, which commenced on July 29, 2019.

According to evidence presented at trial, Cosimano and Mencher were members of the 69’ers Motorcycle Club, a criminal organization engaged in acts of violence and narcotics distribution.

In 2017, the 69’ers Motorcycle Club was entangled in an increasingly violent feud with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club. The feud escalated, culminating with the murder of Paul Anderson, President of the Cross Bayou Chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, on December 21, 2017. On that date, Cosimano, Mencher, and their three codefendants stalked Anderson for several miles down the Suncoast Parkway. Cosimano and Mencher rode their motorcycles with their faces covered and license plates obscured.

After following Anderson for miles, Cosimano and Mencher pulled alongside his truck and shot him repeatedly at the busy intersection of Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54, during rush hour. After the murder, the defendants took steps to cover up the crime, including removing identifying markings from and disassembling their motorcycles.

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 is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Carlton C. Gammons and Natalie Hirt Adams.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Christopher Brian Cosimano, a/k/a “Durty,” (30, Gibsonton), Michael Dominick Mencher, a/k/a “Pumpkin,” (51, Tarpon Springs), Allan Burt Guinto, a/k/a “Big Beefy,” (27, Brandon), Erick Richard Robinson, a/k/a “Big E,” (45, Zephyrhills), and Cody James Wesling, a/k/a “Little Savage,” (27, Riverview) with 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. 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.

According to the indictment, 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.  On December 21, 2017, 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, 2017.

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.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.