KC motorcycle gang member given long prison sentence for assaults on rivals
A Kansas City man who federal prosecutors said was a member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club was sentenced to a little more than nine years in prison Wednesday for assaults on members of rival clubs.
Mark Cottman, 51, pleaded guilty to three charges in U.S. District Court in Kansas City in November as part of a plea agreement: assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, possession of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in aid of racketeering.
Cottman was sentenced to 110 months in prison on Wednesday.
Cottman’s attorney, Lisa Nouri, wrote in a sentencing memorandum that joining the club had been a “terrible idea.”
“Looking for the family connection and mindlessly going along with all antics has led him to this point,” she wrote.
“Mr. Cottman is mindful of the pain inflicted on others and his participation,” she continued. “He is hopeful to serve him time peacefully and participate in as much useful programming as possible while in (prison). He understands he is to be punished and he entered a plea early to accept his fate and move forward with his life.”
Prosecutors said Cottman and 12 other members of the Pagan’s and their support club, the Los Valerosos, had chased a lone rival gang member off U.S. 40 in Blue Springs in September 2022. The victim told law enforcement he was forced off the road and shot. A few weeks after the assault, Cottman was awarded patches from his club and became a full member, prosecutors said.
In July 2023, Cottman was part of a group that assaulted another lone, rival motorcycle gang member at a bar and grill in North Kansas City, prosecutors said. The victim reported he had a traumatic brain injury and other injuries after the assault.
This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 3:07 PM.
