Men Targeted Outside Nightclubs, Drugged, and Robbed
Three men were convicted of murder on Monday for their roles in a deadly scheme that involved drugging and robbing men after they left Manhattan nightclubs. The victims, incapacitated by a dangerous mix of drugs, were stripped of their wallets and had money siphoned from their bank accounts.
The 2022 deaths of Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, and John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant, were linked to what authorities described as “drug-facilitated thefts” that turned fatal. According to the medical examiner’s office, both men were given a lethal combination of fentanyl, cocaine, and lidocaine. Ramirez died in a taxi of an overdose, while Umberger was found dead a month later in a townhouse.
Families Suspected Foul Play After Money Was Stolen
Ramirez and Umberger’s families initially suspected that the deaths were not accidental overdoses. After their deaths, relatives discovered that large sums of money had been drained from their bank accounts. This led investigators to uncover a broader scheme involving multiple victims who had been targeted in a similar manner.
“These defendants were motivated by greed, and their callous behavior left two young men dead,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr. said in a statement. “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.”
Convictions and Sentencing
The three defendants—Jayqwan Hamilton, 37, Robert Demaio, 36, and Jacob Barroso, 32—were convicted of murder, conspiracy, and robbery. They now face 25 years to life in prison.
All three were found guilty in connection with Ramirez’s death, while Hamilton and Demaio were also convicted for the killing of Umberger.
Prosecutors detailed how the group targeted victims in bars and nightclubs, befriended them, and offered them drugs. Once their victims were incapacitated, they would steal their wallets and phones, using the stolen devices to access bank accounts and make fraudulent transactions.
Similar Crimes Linked to Different Groups
In 2022, police identified at least five deaths linked to similar schemes in Manhattan. While authorities believe these crimes were carried out by different groups operating independently, they all used the same method of drugging victims before robbing them.
Although the crimes took place in a neighborhood with a significant LGBTQ+ population, Bragg previously stated that the attacks did not appear to have specifically targeted gay men. Instead, they were seen as opportunistic crimes aimed at individuals who were vulnerable after leaving nightclubs late at night.
