Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Men who drugged and robbed nightlife patrons, killing 2, sentenced to decades in prison, DA says
By
Phil Corso
Published May 21, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
By
Phil Corso
Published May 21, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Three men who drugged, robbed and killed patrons outside Hell’s Kitchen nightclubs in the spring of 2022 have been sentenced to decades behind bars, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Wednesday.
The DA said Jayqwan Hamilton and Robert Demaio were sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison. Jacob Barroso received 20 years to life, officials said. All three were convicted earlier this year of murder, robbery, burglary and conspiracy in a scheme that left two men, Julio Ramirez and John Umberger, dead from fentanyl overdoses, according to authorities.
“Julio Ramirez and John Umberger were beloved by their friends and family and had incredibly bright futures ahead of them,” Bragg said in a statement. “Yet their lives were cut short by these defendants, who displayed a wanton disregard towards their victims. They left both men to die as they used their financial accounts to purchase clothes and sneakers, never once showing concern about the deadly consequences of their actions. We will never be able to undo the tragic losses of Mr. Ramirez and Mr. Umberger, but I hope these significant prison sentences can provide some closure to their loved ones.”
Prosecutors said the men targeted victims outside of gay bars like The Q NYC and The Ritz between March and May of 2022, using fentanyl-laced drugs to incapacitate them before stealing their phones and draining financial apps like Cash App, Zelle and Apple Pay.
The defendants were also found guilty of multiple counts of robbery and burglary. Two other men, Andre Butts and Shane Hoskins, previously pleaded guilty in connection to the conspiracy, authorities said.
Tagged
public safety
manhattan
Phil Corso
Phil Corso is the evening news editor at WNYC/Gothamist. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
City leaders are still trying to close a historic budget shortfall.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 2:21 p.m. ET
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
Parts of the stucco siding of a six-story apartment building in Prospect Lefferts Gardens fell off on Saturday, displacing neighbors.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
Parts of the stucco siding of a six-story apartment building in Prospect Lefferts Gardens fell off on Saturday, displacing neighbors.
By
Catalina Gonella
Mamdani opts not to define antisemitism in report to combat Jewish hate crimes
By
Elizabeth Kim
Police are still investigating bike crash that killed dad of 2 in Central Park
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NYC has a plan to stop homeless people from cycling between hospitals and the streets
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .