Charges Filed in Alleged Torture of Cryptocurrency Holder in NYC
In a shocking case unfolding in Manhattan, authorities have revealed that one of two men accused of torturing an Italian cryptocurrency investor in a high-end New York City townhouse sent messages to an assistant to keep track of the victim. Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office disclosed this information as they continue to review the evidence against John Woeltz and William Duplessie, who were granted bail of $1 million this week by Judge Gregory Carro, despite the DA’s office opposing the decision.
Monitoring the Victim
According to prosecutors, Woeltz allegedly directed his assistant to observe the victim whenever he used his phone. When concerns were raised that the victim might have escaped through an open door, another assistant reassured, “Don’t worry I’m watching him,” as stated by the prosecutors. This revelation emerged as attorneys for Woeltz and Duplessie argued that their clients did not confine the Italian man against his will.
Disturbing Messages and Evidence
Prosecutors revealed that in messages exchanged between Duplessie and Woeltz, they mentioned needing to consume drugs to compel the victim to partake as well. Additional messages depicted the alleged victim as emotionally devastated, “sobbing,” and described his eyes as lacking life. Furthermore, physical evidence collected from the location supports allegations of torture, including a loaded gun, a chainsaw, and a cattle prod, alongside hacksaws, buckets, tarps, and goggles. Prosecutors alleged that the tools were intended for disposing of the victim’s body, alongside accusations of pouring tequila on him and setting him on fire.
Allegations of Coercion and Kidnapping
Prosecutors claimed Woeltz and Duplessie lured the unnamed Italian man to New York under the threat of harm to his family. They purportedly misled the victim into believing they had government ties, warning him that failure to comply would result in being labeled a terrorist. The victim reported that he arrived in New York on May 6 and was taken to Woeltz’s lavish SoHo residence, where he was allegedly tortured in an effort to extract his Bitcoin password.
Escape and Arrest
After enduring more than two weeks of torment, the victim managed to escape on May 23, seeking assistance from a traffic enforcement officer. Following the incident, Woeltz and Duplessie were arrested. Since their arrest in May, both suspects have remained in custody and pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including kidnapping, assault, and coercion during their arraignment last month. They are required to surrender their passports, undergo electronic monitoring, and stay under house arrest.
Defense and Previous Allegations
During the arraignment, the defense contested the allegations, claiming there exists video evidence of the victim enjoying himself, contradicting the assertion of torture. In response, prosecutor Sarah Kahn stated that victims of abuse may not always react in ways that align with societal expectations. Kahn further indicated that discussions with other unnamed law enforcement agencies suggested Woeltz and Duplessie had a history of similar behavior. At Wednesday’s hearing, prosecutors referenced a law enforcement search of a Kentucky property associated with Woeltz, known as the “crypto king of Kentucky,” which reportedly uncovered writings where he contemplated kidnapping individuals to seize their cryptocurrency. Additionally, Duplessie has a prior investigation in Switzerland for domestic violence, while Woeltz has faced accusations of holding another individual in Kentucky for ransom in exchange for cryptocurrency.
