Man who drugged and robbed men in NYC gay bar murders is sentenced to 8 years
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, 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.
Butts, 30, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree robbery and a count of conspiracy as part of a deal with prosecutors. He was initially charged with robbery, grand larceny and identity theft.
Three men were convicted of murder, robbery and conspiracy last month, and two others pleaded to lesser charges.
The robbery scheme loomed over New York City's gay community as the group preyed on Manhattan gay bars and nightclubs from March 2021 to June 2022.
A May 2022 NBC News report on the mysterious death of social worker Julio Ramirez, 25, brought the plot to light. The group targeted five men and drugged them with a fentanyl-laced cocktail.
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