The conspiracy led to the deaths of John Umberger and Julio Ramirez, which were first disclosed by their family members and brought to public attention several patterns of druggings and robberies, some involving members of the gay community. Authorities ultimately determined these patterns resulted in as many as seven overdose deaths.
Andre Butts, one of the men who participated in a drugging and robbery scheme of gay men that killed two people, was sentenced Thursday to eight years in state prison.
Andre Butts, 30, appeared solemn in Manhattan Supreme Court to learn his fate after he changed his story and fessed up to robbery and conspiracy charges for his part in the fentanyl-wielding crew that drugged victims to rob them blind.
“Andre Butts is now facing accountability for his role in this deadly and callous conspiracy,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement Thursday. “He admitted to participating in multiple robberies using fentanyl-laced drugs to incapacitate victims, so he and his co-defendants could drain money from their financial accounts.
Good afternoon Chair Salaam and members of the Committee on Public Safety. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today regarding our Office’s Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget. We thank the City Council for its past support and the other four District Attorneys for their collaboration; we know that a safer and fairer city requires all of us working together.
