Charges Filed in Shocking Cryptocurrency Torture Case
Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s office have revealed that one of two men accused of torturing an Italian cryptocurrency investor in a lavish New York City townhouse sent messages to an assistant to keep track of the victim. John Woeltz and his accomplice, William Duplessie, were granted bail set at $1 million this week by Judge Gregory Carro, despite the prosecution’s objections, as they continue to review the case’s evidence.
Monitoring the Victim
Court documents indicate that Woeltz allegedly directed an assistant to keep an eye on the victim whenever he used his phone. This came to light after the assistant expressed concern that the victim might have escaped through an open door. Another assistant reassured them, stating, “Don’t worry I’m watching him,” according to prosecutors.
Defense Claims and Disturbing Messages
As the legal teams for Woeltz and Duplessie argue that they did not imprison the Italian man, prosecutors disclosed disturbing messages sent by Duplessie, which suggested that he and Woeltz were using drugs to compel the victim to do the same. Prosecutors described the victim as being in a state of despair, noting he appeared “broken” and “sobbing,” lacking any vitality.
Evidence of Torture
Additionally, evidence collected from the crime scene supports allegations that Woeltz and Duplessie subjected the victim to extreme torture. This included the discovery of a loaded firearm, a chainsaw, and a cattle prod, along with hacksaws, buckets, tarps, and goggles, which prosecutors claimed were intended for disposing of the victim’s body. They are also accused of dousing the victim in tequila and setting him on fire.
Luring the Victim Under False Pretenses
According to prosecutors, Woeltz and Duplessie lured the unidentified Italian man to New York by threatening the safety of his family. Allegedly, they claimed to have government connections, warning the victim that failure to comply would result in him being branded a terrorist. The victim reported that he arrived in New York on May 6 and was taken to Woeltz’s opulent SoHo residence, where he was reportedly tortured in an attempt to extract his Bitcoin password.
Escape and Arrest
After enduring more than two weeks of captivity, the victim managed to escape from the townhouse on May 23 and sought help from a traffic enforcement officer. Following his escape, Woeltz and Duplessie were arrested. Since their apprehension in May, both men have been held in custody and have pleaded not guilty to a range of charges, including kidnapping, assault, and coercion.
Bail Conditions and Defense Arguments
At their arraignment, Woeltz and Duplessie were placed under several conditions, including the surrender of their passports, submission to electronic monitoring, and confinement to their homes. The defense challenged the allegations, claiming that video evidence showed the victim appearing to enjoy himself, contradicting claims of torture. Prosecutor Sarah Kahn countered that “victims of abuse do not always behave in expected ways,” and added that prosecutors had consulted with other law enforcement agencies who indicated that both men had a history of similar offenses.
Previous Investigations and Allegations
During the hearing, prosecutors referenced a law enforcement search of a property in Kentucky linked to Woeltz, who has been dubbed the “crypto king of Kentucky.” They claimed that writings found in that location suggested he had contemplated kidnapping individuals for the purpose of stealing their cryptocurrency. Additionally, Duplessie has faced prior investigations in Switzerland for domestic violence, while Woeltz has been previously accused of holding another person for ransom in exchange for cryptocurrency.
