A suspect in connection with a drug-induced robbery scheme that led to the deaths of two gay men in New York City last year pleaded guilty to robbery, grand larceny and identity theft charges on Monday, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the charges against Eddie Ashley, 30, are related to four separate incidents, one of which was part of a citywide scheme that afflicted at least 16 victims between September 2021 and August 2022 and led to the deaths of 25-year-old social worker Julio Ramirez and 34-year-old political consultant John Umberger.
Ashley, who was arraigned for the crimes separately, at different times throughout last and this year, had originally pleaded not guilty to the charges. On Monday, he changed his plea to guilty.
“Everyone should be safe when they go out and experience Manhattan’s vibrant nightlife, and this multi-year prison sentence makes clear we will not tolerate this type of dangerous conduct," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
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