Crypto torture case: Suspect waives court appearance as 2nd man arraigned in alleged kidnapping, beating of Italian victim
Share this @internewscast.com

SOHO, Manhattan — One of the two cryptocurrency investors arrested in connection with a supposed kidnapping and torture case in New York chose not to attend his scheduled court session on Wednesday morning.

John Woeltz, 37, had been anticipated to appear in a Lower Manhattan courtroom, following his arrest on Friday under charges related to the alleged kidnapping plot.

His attorney told ABC News that Woeltz also waived a scheduled appearance for Thursday, but declined to answer other questions about the case.

On Tuesday, a second suspect, William Duplessie, 33, surrendered to detectives at the 13th precinct.

William Duplessie

Meanwhile, prosecutors have provided additional details about what went on in the eight-bedroom SoHo townhouse.

According to Assistant District Attorney Michael Mattson, Woeltz and Duplessie allegedly enticed the victim to travel from Italy to New York by making threats against the victim’s family.

Once the alleged victim arrived, he was stripped of his electronics and passport. He was then bound by the wrists and subjected to beatings, electric shock and a hit to the head from a gun.

Woeltz allegedly carried the alleged victim to the top flight of stairs and hung him over the ledge and threatened to kill him if he did not provide his Bitcoin password.

The victim told authorities Woeltz and Duplessie used a saw to cut his leg, urinated on him and forced him to smoke crack cocaine by holding him down or forcing a pipe into his mouth, prosecutors said.

The alleged victim was finally able to escape after believing he was going to be shot by telling his captors he would provide the defendant with his Bitcoin password contained on his laptop.

When Woeltz left the victim to retrieve the laptop, the alleged victim was able to escape down the stairs.

Inside the townhouse, prosecutors said detectives recovered a saw, crack cocaine, chicken wire, t-shirts with pictures of the alleged victim with the crack cocaine pipe in his mouth, body armor, night vision goggles, ballistic helmets, Polaroid pictures of the alleged victim with a firearm pointed to his head, in addition to firearm ammunition.

Law enforcement also observed blood in various areas in the apartment where the victim indicated he was being tortured.

Prosecutors convinced the judge to hold Woeltz without bail by pointing out that he is from Kentucky and has the means to flee, including a private jet and helicopter.

A judge denied Duplessie attorney’s request for a $1 million bail bond package that would have required him to wear a bracelet and be under home detention with his father in Florida.

The defense called the facts of the case “hotly disputed,” as well as the client’s involvement.

He said Duplessie demonstrated he is not a flight risk by his willingness to turn himself in.

Prosecutors said the suspects promised the Italian man he’d get back the Bitcoin he was previously forced to hand over while the suspects threatened to kill his family.

“They all know each other, but this was a kidnapping for roughly 17 days where they tortured this person. When I say torture, forced them take narcotics, put his feet in water, and shocked his feet and other types of torture for 17 days,” NYPD Chief John Chell said.

Prosecutors say Duplessie faces a minimum of 15 years to life in prison, and a maximum of 25 to life. They are looking into a previous conviction in Switzerland.

Police said the eight-bedroom, 10 bathroom home where the torture allegedly took place was rented for $30,000 to $40,000 a month. It sits back from the sidewalk on the busy block of Prince Street in SoHo.

It was rented just a couple of months ago, with the most recent listing price at $75,000 per month.

Detectives are interviewing two butlers who were at the home and worked for the suspect.

Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Mistrial declared on third charge in Harvey Weinstein retrial

Harvey Weinstein Retrial: Judge Declares Mistrial on Third Charge

Weinstein was already reconvicted on one charge and acquitted on another before…
Fatal Air India crash is first involving Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Tragic Air India Accident Marks First Boeing 787 Dreamliner Crash

The Air India 787 went down in the northwestern city of Ahmedabad…
Christy Walton at the 28th Annual Imagen Awards.

Walmart Faces Criticism After Heiress’ ‘No Kings’ Post Sparks Calls for Boycott from Shoppers

WALMART has faced criticism for an advertisement sponsored by an heiress that…
Three girls holding birthday treats, one wearing a Lady Hornet Soccer sweatshirt.

Teen Killed by Dog Pack While Attempting to Feed Starving Canines, Despite Local Warnings

A TEENAGE girl tragically lost her life while attempting to feed approximately…
Marines to begin operations in Los Angeles Friday, ahead of nationwide anti-Trump protests

Marines Set to Launch Operations in Los Angeles This Friday in Preparation for Upcoming National Anti-Trump Protests

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Residents in Los Angeles…
Luigi Mangione latest: Accused UnitedHealthcare CEO killer marks 27th birthday with list of things he's grateful for from jail

Luigi Mangione Update: Suspected UnitedHealthcare CEO’s Murderer Celebrates 27th Birthday in Jail by Sharing Gratitude List

NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione, the alleged CEO murderer, recently turned 27,…
Kodai Senga's injury will be a test of the Mets' biggest strength

Kodai Senga’s Injury to Challenge Mets’ Key Strength

With the national anthem finished and about 10 minutes until the first…
Shark nearly rips off 9-year-old girl's hand in terrifying Florida shark attack

Shark Attack in Florida: 9-Year-Old Girl’s Hand Almost Severed

A 9-year-old girl snorkeling off the coast of Florida nearly lost her…
Karen Read trial nears its finale: What each side is banking on

Final Stage Approaches in Karen Read Trial: Key Strategies from Both Sides

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Jurors are set to…

Disgraced Teacher Brittany Fortinberry Forced to Sell Home Linked to Scream Mask Parties with Teens

A DISGRACED married teacher who allegedly hosted Scream mask orgies with teenage…
Google Cloud users report widespread outages across US

Google Cloud Users Experiencing Major Service Disruptions Nationwide in the US

On Wednesday afternoon, a significant wave of service outages struck the internet,…
Israel hits the ‘heart’ of Iran’s nuclear program in Natanz facility strike

Israel Targets Core of Iran’s Nuclear Program in Strike on Natanz Facility

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…