Stefan Alexandru Barabas, a 38-year-old Romanian citizen of Hungarian descent, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his role in a shocking 2007 home invasion in Connecticut. Alongside three accomplices, Barabas broke into the home of philanthropist Anne Bass and her partner, painter Julian Lethbridge. Armed with knives and fake guns, the masked intruders tied up and blindfolded the couple before injecting them with a “fake virus”, a substance falsely claimed to be a lethal virus. They then demanded USD 8.5 million in exchange for the “antidote”.
Millions demanded for antidote for fake virus
When Bass and Lethbridge were unable to pay, the criminals forced them to drink a sleeping aid before fleeing in Bass’s car. It was later revealed that the injected substance was gentian violet, an antifungal medicine. Evidence linked the group to the crime, including DNA found in Bass’s stolen vehicle, The State reported.
Barabas evaded capture for years, marrying and moving to Hungary, but was finally arrested in 2022. His co-conspirators were previously sentenced: Emanuel Nicolescu received 20 years, Alexandru Nicolescu over 10 years, and Michael Kennedy four years.
The crime left lasting trauma for the victims, particularly Bass, who feared for her life during the ordeal. She passed away in 2020 and is remembered for her contributions to the arts and philanthropy.
Barabas’s sentencing brings closure to a case that lingered for nearly 17 years.
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