Another member of the Kingsmen Motorcycle Club is facing prison time for participating in a ring of drugs and violence officials say operated throughout Western New York. The U.S. Attorney's Office says 53-year-old Thomas Koszuta has pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Wolford. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi, who is handling the case, said Koszuta admitted details about the forcible closing of the Springville club because members were non-compliant with KMC President David Pirk. Tripi said during the shutdown, Koszuta struck a victim in the head with a blunt object and stole items from the clubhouse. Participants then used bleach to clean areas where the victim bled and removed portions of the rug that contained blood.
Tripi said Koszuta also was part of a 2013 drive-by shooting targeting former Springville club members. Two shots were fired from a shotgun, one of which struck a vehicle parked near one of the targeted victims.
Koszuta is one of 17 defendants arrested in this case and the second to be convicted. Charges are pending against the remaining 15 defendants.
