NEW YORK – Three men accused of running a drugging and robbery scheme targeting intoxicated individuals outside Manhattan gay bars and nightclubs were convicted on Monday.
Jayqwan Hamilton, Robert DeMaio, and Jacob Barroso, all in their 30s, were found guilty on charges of murder, robbery, and conspiracy for their roles in the scheme, which took place between 2021 and 2022. The jury convicted them on all counts after several days of deliberations.
A Scheme Rooted in Greed and Deception
Prosecutors argued that the men targeted victims outside bars, offering drinks or substances laced with fentanyl and other drugs to incapacitate them. The goal was to steal personal belongings, including cellphones, credit cards, and valuable items.
Among the five victims, two men—Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, and John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant—died after being drugged.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg described the scheme as one motivated by greed, which had devastating consequences. “These defendants were motivated by greed, and their callous behavior left two young men dead,” Bragg said. “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.”
Details of the Crimes
- Julio Ramirez (April 2022): Ramirez was approached by Hamilton and Barroso outside a Manhattan bar. After being drugged, he was left incapacitated in a taxi while his phone and personal items were stolen. Toxicology reports showed that fentanyl and heroin were found in his system.
- John Umberger (May 2022): Umberger was approached by Hamilton and DeMaio outside a club. After being taken to an apartment and drugged, he was left incapacitated while the defendants stole thousands of dollars from his accounts.
Emotional Reactions from Victims’ Families
The verdict brought some closure to grieving families. Linda Clary, the mother of John Umberger, expressed her gratitude. “We are heartbroken, because nothing is going to bring John back, but we are just so grateful to God that no one else will be hurt by these men,” she said. “John was my oldest son, best friend, and just a great human being.”
Sentencing and Next Steps
The convicted men are scheduled for sentencing on April 4. Attorneys for the defendants have indicated plans to appeal the convictions. Two additional men involved in the scheme had previously pleaded guilty to lesser charges.
In court, supporters of the convicted men shouted “love you” as they were escorted out of the courtroom.
Witness Testimony Highlights the Scheme
During the trial, one of the alleged victims described how he was lured by the defendants. “These people were really friendly and really welcoming,” he testified. “They complimented me on my looks and different things.” After taking them to his apartment and drinking beer and smoking marijuana, the witness said the next thing he remembered was waking up to find his phone, laptop, wallet, and prescription medications missing.
Security Enhancements Being Considered
To address the financial aspects of the scheme, District Attorney Bragg said he is working with financial institutions to implement security measures for transactions.
“Red flag system. If someone is taking out a lot of money at 2 a.m. on a street corner they’ve never been in to, flag and pause for that,” Bragg said. “That type of safeguard would go a long way into making this less profitable.”
This case sheds light on the growing need for enhanced security at nightlife venues and tighter safeguards on financial transactions to prevent similar crimes in the future.
