The list of suspects in the murder of biker Dominick Paternoster, 46, has grown with the recent arrests of Vincent Romanino, 42, and Joshualee Garcia, 33, in Florida. The total number of suspects is now four.
The charges against Romanino and Garcia are related to assisting in a first-degree felony murder. Romanino is in the Faulkenburg Road Jail and Garcia is at the Pasco County Jail.
Paternoster was affiliated with the Raiders, which has ties to the Mongols motorcycle club. He lost his life earlier this year when he was shot multiple times at his residence in Palm Harbor near Tampa, Florida. His killers believed that he was an informant to law enforcement.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri gave a press briefing about the case, noting that in August 2022, Paul Mogilevsky, 48, was charged with first-degree murder. Additionally, Dylan Pascale, 36, is facing similar charges.
The case is set to go to trial in 2024 and could extend for roughly three weeks, as indicated by Roger Futerman, the attorney representing Paul Mogilevsky. Despite the serious allegations against him, Mogilevsky has declared himself not guilty and has not presented any plea bargains.
The larger narrative revolves around the questionable actions of certain motorcycle clubs, like the Mongols. Sheriff Gualtieri was clear in stating that these organizations are far from just being about motorcycles. He said they engage in organized crime, with activities including drug and human trafficking. The age of many members indicates that their crimes are not simply impulsive acts of youth.
The account given by Dylan Pascale about the night in question has been pivotal. He recounted that after taking Paternoster back to his Palm Harbor home from Tampa, they left him asleep. However, evidence, including shell casings with traces of Pascale’s DNA near Paternoster, contradicts his story. This indicates that the crime had multiple perpetrators and involved more than one weapon.
The Mongols motorcycle club, with origins in California, has a national footprint. In Sheriff Gualtieri’s view, it epitomizes organized crime. Members are involved in a variety of illegal actions and are often seen wearing jackets featuring their “colors.” These symbols are more than just adornments; they represent a meaningful initiation within the club.