NEW YORK — Three men have been convicted of murder in a shocking conspiracy targeting individuals departing from Manhattan’s nightclubs and bars. The criminals lured their victims with potent drugs, incapacitating them and subsequently stealing from their bank accounts.
In a case that has drawn significant attention, the tragic deaths of Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, and John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant, were determined to be the result of “drug-facilitated thefts” and homicides, revealed the medical examiner’s office. Ramirez was found dead from an overdose in a taxi, while Umberger’s body was discovered in a townhouse approximately a month later.
Toxicology reports indicated both men had lethal substances, including fentanyl, cocaine, and lidocaine, in their systems at the time of death. Families of the victims raised concerns of foul play upon noticing unauthorized transactions from their accounts.
“These defendants acted out of greed, and their heartless actions have resulted in the loss of two promising lives,” stated the Manhattan District Attorney. “The families of these young men continue to endure profound pain, and I hope this verdict brings them some degree of solace.”
The convicted individuals—Jayqwan Hamilton, 37, Robert Demaio, 36, and Jacob Barroso, 32—now face sentences ranging from 25 years to life in prison. All three have been found guilty in connection with Ramirez’s death, while Demaio and Hamilton were implicated in Umberger’s homicide.
Prosecutors revealed that the group targeted multiple victims in bars and clubs, befriending them before offering drugs. Once incapacitated, these individuals were robbed of their belongings, enabling the assailants to make unauthorized purchases and extract funds from their accounts.
In 2022, police identified at least five similar killings linked to different groups employing analogous tactics. Although it was noted that these crimes did not appear to specifically target gay men, the area where the operations unfolded features a significant LGBTQ+ population.
