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NEW YORK, N.Y. (BFMG) — A Manhattan jury has convicted three men in a chilling scheme that spanned over a year, targeting unsuspecting victims at LGBTQ+ nightlife venues. The defendants—Jayqwan Hamilton, Robert Demaio, and Jacob Barroso—were found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, and conspiracy in connection with the deaths of Julio Ramirez, 25, and John Umberger, 33, as well as the drugging and theft of multiple other victims.
A Calculated Crime Spree
Between March 2021 and June 2022, similar robberies continued to occur in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. Hamilton, Demaio, and Barroso orchestrated a series of attacks, preying on individuals leaving popular Manhattan gay bars. Prosecutors revealed that the trio administered potent drug cocktails—laced with fentanyl and cocaine—to render their victims incapacitated before draining their bank accounts and fleeing with personal belongings.
During the trial, prosecutors stated that on March 18, 2022, the group robbed and burglarized a man at Hyatt Union Square and continued their crime spree into the spring, quickly befriending inebriated men at West Side hot spots, then incapacitating them with their lethal drug cocktails before robbing them of everything.
The scheme only came to light in May 2022 after Ramirez was found unresponsive in the back of a taxi following a night at The Ritz Bar and Lounge. Less than two months later, Umberger was discovered dead in his Manhattan apartment after leaving The Q NYC. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined both deaths resulted from “acute intoxication” caused by fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin, cocaine, lidocaine, and ethanol.
Trials and Convictions
Following a three-week trial, jurors deliberated for just over a day before returning guilty verdicts on all counts, including felony murder. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg underscored the defendants’ ruthless pursuit of financial gain at the expense of human lives. “These defendants were motivated by greed, and their callous behavior left two young men dead,” Bragg said. “While this verdict won’t bring back those we lost, I hope it offers some solace to the grieving families”.
The defense attempted to argue that while their clients were involved in theft, they did not knowingly administer lethal substances. However, Assistant District Attorney Meghan Hast dismantled their claims, pointing to the pattern of nearly identical overdoses linked to the trio. “Did these men just happen upon people who took fentanyl on five different occasions?” Hast questioned. “The idea that this was accidental defies logic”.
Sentencing and Community Impact
The convictions mark a bittersweet victory for the victims’ families, who fought tirelessly for justice. “Nothing will bring John back, but knowing these men won’t hurt anyone else is a relief,” said Umberger’s mother, Linda Clary, following the verdict. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude”.
Two additional defendants, Shane Hoskins and Andre Butts, previously pleaded guilty to robbery-related charges and were each sentenced to eight years in prison. Hamilton, Demaio, and Barroso now face potential life sentences, with formal sentencing scheduled for April 4, 2025.
Despite the guilty verdicts, the defense has announced plans to appeal. However, for the families of Ramirez and Umberger, the decision brings long-awaited accountability in a case that shook the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
