Three dudes who drugged, robbed, and killed patrons outside Hell’s Kitchen nightclubs in the spring of 2022 got hit with some serious prison time, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. On Wednesday, Bragg announced that Jayqwan Hamilton and Robert Demaio were sentenced to 40 years to life in the slammer, while Jacob Barroso got stuck with 20 years to life. These three bros were convicted earlier this year of murder, robbery, burglary, and conspiracy in a shady scheme that ended with two dudes, Julio Ramirez and John Umberger, kicking the bucket from fentanyl overdoses, the authorities said.
Who: Jayqwan Hamilton, Robert Demaio, Jacob Barroso, Julio Ramirez, John Umberger
What: Sentenced to decades behind bars for drugging, robbing, and killing patrons outside nightclubs
Where: Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
When: Spring of 2022
Why: Murder, robbery, burglary, and conspiracy in a scheme targeting victims outside of gay bars
How: Using fentanyl-laced drugs to incapacitate victims before stealing their phones and draining financial apps
Bragg expressed his sorrow for the victims, saying, “Julio Ramirez and John Umberger were beloved by their friends and family and had incredibly bright futures ahead of them.” He went on to call out the defendants for their total disregard towards their victims, leaving them to die while they splurged on clothes and sneakers using the victims’ financial accounts. The DA hoped that the hefty prison sentences handed down to these criminals could offer some solace to the loved ones of Ramirez and Umberger.
According to prosecutors, the men targeted victims outside of popular gay bars like The Q NYC and The Ritz between March and May of 2022. They used fentanyl-laced drugs to knock out their victims before swiping their phones and emptying out financial apps like Cash App, Zelle, and Apple Pay. In addition to the murder and robbery charges, the defendants were also found guilty of multiple counts of burglary. Two other dudes, Andre Butts and Shane Hoskins, copped pleas in connection to the conspiracy, authorities revealed. Not really sure why this matters, but it seems like justice has been served in this case, with the perpetrators getting what they deserve for their heinous crimes.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Jayqwan Hamilton, Robert Demaio, and Jacob Barroso to decades in prison for their roles in drugging, robbing, and killing patrons outside Hell’s Kitchen nightclubs serves as a grim reminder of the dangers lurking in the nightlife scene. The tragic loss of Julio Ramirez and John Umberger has left a lasting impact on their loved ones, and while nothing can bring them back, the hope is that these significant prison terms can offer some sense of closure to those affected by this senseless violence. Let this be a warning to others who may seek to prey on innocent victims for their own selfish gain – justice will prevail in the end.
