NEW YORK — On Monday, a jury found three men guilty of murder in connection with a scheme to rob individuals exiting nightclubs and bars in Manhattan. The perpetrators used powerful and hazardous drugs to incapacitate their victims, subsequently draining their bank accounts while they were unable to defend themselves.
The tragic incidents led to the deaths of Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, and John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant, in 2022. According to the medical examiner’s office, their deaths were classified as “drug-facilitated thefts” and homicides. Ramirez succumbed to an overdose in a taxi, and Umberger’s body was discovered in a townhouse a month later.
Toxicology reports revealed that both men had been consuming substances including fentanyl, cocaine, and lidocaine prior to their deaths. Their families began to suspect foul play upon noticing that money was missing from their bank accounts.
“These defendants were driven by greed, and their ruthless actions resulted in the deaths of two young men,” remarked the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. in a statement on Monday. He expressed sympathy for the families still enduring the pain of their losses and hoped that the verdict might offer them a measure of solace.
The individuals convicted are Jayqwan Hamilton, 37; Robert Demaio, 36; and Jacob Barroso, 32. They were found guilty of multiple charges including murder, conspiracy, and robbery, potentially facing sentences ranging from 25 years to life in prison. All three were adjudged responsible for Ramirez’s death, while Demaio and Hamilton were also found guilty in connection with Umberger’s demise.
Prosecutors detailed that the defendants targeted numerous men in bars and clubs, fostering friendships and offering illicit drugs. Once their victims became incapacitated, the defendants stole their wallets and cellphones, which were later used to make fraudulent purchases and access their bank accounts digitally.
In 2022, law enforcement announced the identification of at least five similar killings, including those of Ramirez and Umberger. While initially it appeared that multiple groups were executing similar strategies independently, Bragg noted that these crimes did not seem specifically directed at gay men, even though the area where these activities occurred has a significant LGBTQ+ population.
