"Justice Served: Sentencing of Three Men Involved in Deadly Drug-Induced Robbery Scheme at NYC Gay Bars"

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"Justice Served: Sentencing of Three Men Involved in Deadly Drug-Induced Robbery Scheme at NYC Gay Bars"

[!CDATA[Three men were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their involvement in a drug-induced robbery scheme at New York City gay bars that resulted in the deaths of two men. Jayqwan Hamilton, Jacob Barroso, and Robert DeMaio were convicted of murder, robbery, and conspiracy in connection with the scheme that took place over a year. The victims, Julio Ramirez and John Umberger, were murdered in the spring of 2022 as part of the scheme. Hamilton and DeMaio were sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, while Barroso received a 20-year to life sentence. During the trial, prosecutors revealed that the defendants drugged and robbed five men they met outside gay bars and nightclubs in the city. They used a combination of drugs, including fentanyl, to render the victims unconscious before stealing money from their banking apps and making purchases using their cell phones. The defendants used facial recognition technology to access the victims' phones. At the sentencing hearing, Hamilton and Barroso maintained their innocence, with Hamilton expressing regret for his actions but denying any deadly intent. Family members of the victims and defendants attended the hearing, with emotional impact statements highlighting the devastating impact of the crimes on the victims' families. Prosecutors requested lengthy prison sentences for the defendants, emphasizing the intentional and evil nature of the crimes. The victims' families called for justice and expressed their profound grief over the loss of their loved ones. The court ultimately sentenced Hamilton and DeMaio to 40 years to life in prison and Barroso to 20 years to life. The crimes came to light in May 2022 when the mysterious death of Julio Ramirez was reported by NBC News. Ramirez was found dead in a taxi cab after encountering the defendants at a gay bar. John Umberger was later found dead in a townhouse where he was staying, with evidence showing the defendants partying near his body. The victims had a mix of drugs in their systems, including fentanyl, lidocaine, and cocaine. The defense argued during the trial that it was unclear which drugs caused the victims' deaths, pointing to their recreational drug use. The sentencing marked the end of a tragic chapter that left two families shattered and seeking justice for their lost loved ones.]]