Gay Porn Star Mario Romo Found Guilty of Murder

Gay Porn Star Mario Romo Found Guilty of Murder

SAN DIEGO — Gay adult star Mario Romo was convicted by a federal jury earlier this week in the murder of his boyfriend, who was stabbed 24 times including a slash to his throat.

Romo started his career with Sean Cody in 2010 and worked for about a dozen gay studios also under the names Francisco and Elder Gonzalez. His birth name is David Meza.

Romo was found guilty after Mexican authorities found Jake Clyde Merendino stabbed to death and dumped in a ravine in a Baja ravine near a highway between Rosarito and Ensenada.

According to evidence presented at trial in the U.S., Romo, then 23, and Merendino, then 49, met online in June 2013 and were involved in a romantic relationship.

At the same time, Romo was also involved in a long-term romantic relationship with Taylor Marie Langston, a Chula Vista High graduate who was pregnant with his child at the time of the murder. Prosecutors said Romo was living a double life.

Merendino’s death came two days after he closed escrow on a luxury oceanfront condominium at Palacio del Mar in Rosarito. Romo was the beneficiary, prosecutors said.

Within days of the murder, Romo produced a handwritten will written on hotel stationery that made him sole heir to Merendino’s estate.

After the slaying, one of the Merendino’s friends filed probate paperwork for a will Merendino drew up in 1998 in Galveston, Texas.

A few days later, Romo, through his lawyers, contested the 1998 will and filed the handwritten will on letterhead from the Hercor Hotel in Chula Vista, which he claimed was executed by Merendino in December of 2014, and left Romo “everything.”

Romo was convicted on one count of interstate domestic violence resulting in murder and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced in August.

Langston also was charged in the indictment. She pleaded guilty but has yet to be sentenced.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Ryan Keely, Nicole Doshi Topline Latest From Sweetheart Video

Ryan Keely and Nicole Doshi headline the 19th volume of "Lesbian Adventures: Strap On Specialists" from Mile High Media's studio imprint Sweetheart Video.

Wendy Raine Fronts 'Mamma Mia' Parody From MYLF

Wendy Raine stars with Eva Nyx and Quinton James in a “Mamma Mia” parody from MYLF, titled “Memories Cumming to My Mind.”

Briella Coley Makes Her Evil Angel Debut

Briella Coley has made her debut for Evil Angel alongside director/performer Richard Mann.

Jasmine Sherni Takes the Spotlight in 2-Part Brazzers Release

Jasmine Sherni stars in the two-part Brazzers scene titled “TroubleMakerzz.”

Ofcom: Age Assurance Going Live Across 'Thousands' of Porn Sites

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said in a statement Thursday that providers of online pornography are implementing age assurance across “thousands of sites” accessible in the U.K., in response to Ofcom’s Online Safety Act (OSA) enforcement program.

ASGMax Debuts 'Roleplay' AI Chat Feature

Alpha Studio Group (ASG) has introduced the ASGmax Roleplay AI chat feature.

Linda Lan Performs 1st Anal, Headlines Jonni Darkko's 2nd 'POV Anal Sluts'

Linda Lan performs her first anal scene and toplines director Jonni Darkko’s sequel to “POV Anal Sluts,” from Evil Angel.

XBIZ Miami's Host Hotel Sold Out, General Registration Now Open

Guest rooms at XBIZ Miami’s exclusive conference venue, Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach hotel in South Beach, are now completely sold out.

Leana Lovings, Aria Banks Front Latest From Reality Kings

Leana Lovings and Aria Banks star in the latest release from Reality Kings, titled "Synchronized Scissoring."

Penthouse Names Lennon Elizabeth April's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named model Lennon Elizabeth as Pet of the Month for April.

Show More