In a surprising turn of events in a New York City courtroom, three men were handed decades-long prison sentences for their involvement in a drug-induced robbery scheme that tragically resulted in the deaths of two individuals at gay bars. The trio, consisting of Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio, were convicted of murder, robbery, and conspiracy related to the scheme that took place between March 2021 and June 2022. The victims, Julio Ramirez and John Umberger, lost their lives during the course of the criminal activities carried out by these individuals.
The judge, Felicia Mennin, did not hold back in her scathing remarks during the sentencing, calling the actions of the defendants a “cold and calculated pattern” while expressing her disdain for their lack of empathy. Hamilton and DeMaio received a sentence of 40 years to life in prison, while Barroso was sentenced to 20 years to life. Despite maintaining their innocence, Hamilton and Barroso addressed the court during the sentencing, with Hamilton expressing regret for his actions but still denying any deadly intent.
Throughout the trial, prosecutors detailed how the trio targeted men outside gay bars, drugged them to unconsciousness using a lethal concoction that included fentanyl, and proceeded to rob them of thousands of dollars by accessing their phones through facial recognition technology. The callous nature of their crimes was further highlighted by the fact that they left one of the victims, John Umberger, dead in his townhouse while they went on a shopping spree. The heart-wrenching impact of these crimes was palpable as family members of the victims, including Umberger’s father and Ramirez’s brother, shared their emotional testimonies in court.
The devastating consequences of the defendants’ actions reverberated not only through the lives of the victims’ families but also within the LGBTQ community in New York City. The crimes shed light on the vulnerability of individuals in social settings and raised concerns about safety and security. As the legal proceedings unfolded, it became evident that the defendants’ actions had far-reaching implications beyond the immediate loss of life, prompting a reevaluation of unsolved cases involving LGBTQ victims by law enforcement agencies.
Despite the attempts by the defense to downplay the severity of the crimes, the judge, prosecutors, and the victims’ families all advocated for harsh sentences to be imposed on the perpetrators. The courtroom proceedings served as a stark reminder of the impact of senseless violence and the importance of seeking justice for those who have been wronged. As the defendants contemplate their fate behind bars, the echoes of the lives lost in pursuit of greed and malice serve as a somber warning to those who would dare to exploit others for personal gain.
