The killers drugged their victims with fentanyl to rob them; one piece of evidence presented in their case included a photo of one of the defendants smiling next to the body of John Umberger.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced the conviction of Jayqwan Hamilton (37), Robert DeMaio (36), and Jacob Barroso (32) for the murder of two men, as well as multiple charges of robbery, conspiracy, and burglary. According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the verdict was unanimous on all 24 charges, including second-degree murder, following a trial that revealed how the defendants drugged and robbed patrons at LGBTQ+ bars in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
The criminal scheme was demonstrated with compelling evidence. The defendants stalked their victims outside bars like The Q NYC and The Ritz Bar & Lounge, selecting individuals who appeared intoxicated. According to the New York Times, they administered fentanyl-laced drugs to render their victims unconscious, then stole their cell phones, credit cards, and drained their bank accounts using apps like Cash App, Apple Pay, and Zelle.
During the trial, prosecutor Meghan Hast described the operation as a “deadly business,” highlighting the coldness with which they acted: “If they die from fentanyl, it’s an added benefit, giving them more time to spend the money,” she told the jury.
The Murders of Julio Ramírez and John Umberger
One of the most shocking cases involved 25-year-old social worker Julio Ramírez. On April 21, 2022, the defendants contacted him at The Ritz Bar. After drugging him with fentanyl, they abandoned him unconscious in the back of a taxi. According to the New York Times, the driver noticed the passenger’s lack of response and called the police. Ramírez was declared dead at the hospital.
The defendants later managed to spend thousands of dollars from Ramírez’s accounts on luxury items, including branded shoes and clothing. Ramírez’s family, devastated, pushed for a deeper investigation after discovering suspicious bank transactions.
Another key case involved John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant visiting New York from Washington, D.C. On May 28, 2022, Umberger was last seen leaving a bar with Hamilton and DeMaio. According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, the men took him to their apartment, where they administered fentanyl and left him unconscious in their bed.
Images shown during the trial revealed DeMaio smiling next to Umberger’s lifeless body, while another video showed Hamilton casually holding a drink. Days later, Umberger’s body was found in the same position, while the defendants had spent over $2,000 from his accounts on luxury goods.
Impact on the LGBTQ+ Community and New York’s Nightlife
The impact of these crimes rocked New York’s LGBTQ+ community, especially as they occurred amidst the reopening of the city’s nightlife after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the New York Times, more than a dozen men reported being drugged and robbed at LGBTQ+ bars in Manhattan, raising growing concerns about safety in these spaces.
The fear spread quickly, as victims were not only targeted for their vulnerability after a night of partying but also because there was a specific pattern directed at this group. Carlos Camacho, a friend of Ramírez, testified about how they had parted ways that fateful night, never imagining it would be the last time he would see his friend alive.
The verdict sparked emotional reactions in the courtroom. According to the New York Times, when the jury foreperson announced the defendants’ guilt, the victims’ families sighed and cried. DeMaio, handcuffed, broke down in tears as he was escorted out of the courtroom, while some of the defendants’ relatives shouted, “We love you.” Meanwhile, Linda Clary, Umberger’s mother, expressed relief after the verdict: “No one else will be hurt by these men, and we are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy,” she said through tears.
A Verdict That Paves the Way for New Safety Measures
Initially, the deaths of Ramírez and Umberger were treated as accidental overdoses. However, pressure from the families and evidence of suspicious bank withdrawals led police to reopen the case, which ultimately led to the convictions.
District Attorney Bragg emphasized that the verdict seeks to bring justice to the affected families. He also called on financial technology companies to strengthen the security of their apps, proposing measures such as:
- Default two-step verification
- Lower daily transfer limits
- Wait times and confirmation for large transactions
- Monitoring of unusual account activities
“My office will continue to take all possible steps to protect New Yorkers from this kind of criminal behavior,” Bragg said in an official statement from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.