Three men have been found guilty of luring men from gay bars in New York City, drugging them, and robbing them, in connection with two murders.
Julio Ramirez, 25, and John Umberger, 33, both tragically died after being drugged just months apart in 2022. During this time, several other victims were also drugged and robbed but managed to survive.
The convicted individuals—Jayqwan Hamilton, 37, Robert DeMaio, 36, and Jacob Barroso, 32—were found guilty of all charges after a trial in a New York court. DeMaio and Hamilton were convicted for the murders of both Ramirez and Umberger, while DeMaio alone was held responsible for Ramirez’s death.
In addition to the murder convictions, all three men faced various robbery charges.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg expressed sorrow over the situation, stating, “These defendants were motivated by greed, and their callous behavior left two young men dead. I know the families who lost their loved ones are still suffering from so much pain, and I hope this verdict can provide at least some measure of comfort.”
Umberger was discovered dead in his Manhattan apartment in June 2022, while Ramirez was found in a taxi in April, showing signs of being left for dead.
Authorities reported that both men had died from a mix of cocaine, fentanyl, and other drugs.
The District Attorney’s office mentioned that Hamilton, DeMaio, and Barroso targeted Ramirez outside The Ritz Bar in the Hell’s Kitchen area. They used fentanyl to drug him and then accessed his accounts to steal money, which was spent on expensive sneakers and clothing.
Umberger was also targeted in June outside The Q NYC in Hell’s Kitchen, where he was drugged and subsequently robbed of over $2,000 before being left on his bed incapacitated.
Furthermore, Hamilton, DeMaio, and Barroso were linked to other similar incidents involving men who were drugged and robbed, along with two others, Shane Hoskins and Andre Butts, who have already pleaded guilty.
After their convictions, Hamilton, DeMaio, and Barroso could face life sentences in prison.
