In a verdict that brings some semblance of peace to the families of the victims, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. has announced substantial prison sentences for perpetrators of a vicious robbery and drugging scheme in Manhattan. Jayqwan Hamilton, 37, Robert Demaio, 36, and Jacob Barroso, 32, have been sentenced for crimes that left two men dead and several others robbed of their possessions and dignity outside Manhattan nightclubs. The sentences handed down were severe but commensurate with the crimes: Hamilton and Demaio will face 40 years to life, while Barroso will serve 20 years to life in prison.
These individuals partook in a calculated operation that preyed on nightclub attendees under the neon dazzle of Manhattan's nightlife, the tactics were sinister, exploiting the vulnerable and intoxicated, they would administer drugs laced with fentanyl to immobilize their targets for the purpose of financial gain; this included taking phones and draining online accounts through apps like Cash App and Apple Cash, according to details shared by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
The loss of life was particularly tragic. In the cases of John Umberger and Julio Ramirez, the defendants' actions were not just criminal but fatal. Julio Ramirez, after being drugged by the men on April 21, 2022, was left unresponsive in the back of a cab and later pronounced dead at a hospital; following this, the assailants plundered his financial accounts to splurge on high-end goods. Similarly, John Umberger was found incapacitated in his own apartment on May 28, 2022, after the criminals had withdrawn over $2,000 from his accounts for their personal shopping spree. "Julio Ramirez and John Umberger were beloved by their friends and family and had incredibly bright futures ahead of them," Bragg expressed, as victims were remembered for more than the dreadful ends they met, according to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
Following the convictions, D.A. Bragg pushed for more stringent security measures on financial transaction platforms such as Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle, his recommendations were calling for additional password protections, lower default limits on daily transfers, wait times and secondary checks for large transactions, and enhanced monitoring for unusual transfer activities with a threshold to prompt user verification. These suggestions were fueled by the exploitation seen in these cases that, in the end, led dastardly individuals like Hamilton, Demaio, and Barroso behind bars, and while these sentences signify justice for the crimes committed, they will not bring back the lives needlessly lost.
