“Julio Ramirez and John Umberger were beloved by their friends and family and had incredibly bright futures ahead of them,” said District Attorney Bragg. “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.”

“I hope the victim’s loved ones can take some measure of comfort that this defendant will finally face accountability in New York,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank our prosecutors for never wavering from the investigation and doggedly seeking the return of this defendant.” 

“We bring charges when alleged stranger assaults occur,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This defendant is also facing charges for threatening a police officer with a knife, and I want to be clear that we have no tolerance for anyone who threatens members of the NYPD or put them in harm’s way.”

“This defendant is now facing accountability for this random assault on three strangers,” said District Attorney Bragg. “In addition to the harm caused to victims, these instances of random violence impact the psyche of our entire borough. The public should know that we are continuing to focus on accountability when this type of conduct occurs.”

“Isolated from teachers and other responsible adults because of the pandemic, 10-year-old Ayden Wolfe was enduring horrific violence at the hands of his mother’s boyfriend. Ryan Cato brutally abused him, eventually killing Ayden in his own apartment,” said District Attorney Bragg. “While today’s sentencing will not bring back this innocent child, I hope it gives his loved ones a sense of comfort and closure in this abhorrent crime.”