Judge denies bail to crypto investor charged with kidnapping and torturing man in posh NYC townhouse
Share this @internewscast.com

NEW YORK (AP) — A cryptocurrency investor faces a grand jury indictment for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a man over several weeks in a luxury Manhattan townhouse, intending to obtain the victim’s Bitcoin.

John Woeltz, 37, has been jailed since his arrest Friday outside the luxury rental, where an Italian national told police he was severely beaten, drugged, shocked with electrical wires and dangled over a ledge by captors seeking the password to his digital assets.

Woeltz’s alleged accomplice, William Duplessie, surrendered to police Tuesday and is awaiting his own indictment.

At the hearing Thursday, an attorney for Woeltz requested his client be released on a $2 million bond, citing his lack of criminal record, philosophy degree and professional accomplishments.

“He’s been very successful in the technology world,” the attorney, Wayne Gosnell, told a Manhattan judge, adding that his client “has every intention to fight this case.”

The judge denied bail for Woeltz, who did not appear in court.

Gosnell also requested that Woeltz not be required to turn over firearms that he legally owns in Kentucky. And he disputed the prosecutor’s earlier claims that his client owned a private jet and helicopter.

“He has no means to flee,” Gosnell said.

Woeltz has described himself in interviews as a blockchain investor who spent time in Silicon Valley before returning to Kentucky’s burgeoning crypto-mining industry.

Authorities have said Woeltz and Duplessie, another cryptocurrency investor, knew the victim personally.

On May 6, they lured the man — whose name has not been released by officials — to a posh townhouse in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood, one of the city’s most expensive, by threatening to kill his family.

The man said he was then held captive for 17 days, as the two investors tormented him with electrical wires, forced him to smoke from a crack pipe and at one point dangled him from a staircase five stories high.

He eventually agreed to hand over his computer password Friday morning, then managed to flee the home as his captors went to retrieve the device. The victim made it onto the street, bloodied and shoeless, according to police.

A search of the townhouse turned up cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor, night vision goggles, ammunition and polaroid photos of the victim with a gun pointed to his head, according to prosecutors.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Sex offender David Binz arrested in Jacksonville

David Binz, Sex Offender, Arrested in Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has arrested David Binz, featured in a viral…
'Midway Blitz' ICE operation crackdown begins in Chicago as local leaders push back against President Donald Trump

“ICE Launches ‘Midway Blitz’ Operation in Chicago Amid Local Opposition to Trump Administration”

CHICAGO (WLS) — The federal government has officially started it’s immigration crackdown…
Backpage executives to be sentenced after testifying against site founder about the site's sex ads

Backpage Executives Face Sentencing After Testifying Against Founder Over Sex Ad Allegations

PHOENIX (AP) — On Tuesday in Phoenix, two former leaders of the…
Charlotte mayor slammed over comments after woman stabbed to death on train

Criticism mounts against Charlotte mayor following remarks post train stabbing incident

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, is under fire for her response…
Police: Ocala 9-year-old arrested for bringing loaded gun onto school bus

Police Report: 9-Year-Old in Ocala Arrested for Carrying Loaded Gun on School Bus

The police report that the 9-year-old is charged with several offenses, including…
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, DePaul University professor weigh in on Nation's Report Card

Ex-Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas and DePaul University Professor Discuss Nation’s Report Card

CHICAGO (WLS) — A local former education leader and college professor are…
Poland shoots down drones in its airspace during Russian attack on neighboring Ukraine

Poland Downs Drones Entering Airspace Amidst Russian Assault on Ukraine

Polish defense officials say the military shot down drones that violated its…
Iconic athletes Carl Lewis, Jerry Rice and Nadia Comăneci reveal how they stay strong as they age

How Legendary Athletes Carl Lewis, Jerry Rice, and Nadia Comăneci Maintain Their Strength with Age

Inspired by the popular series “Limitless: Live Better Now” featuring Chris Hemsworth,…
Officials reject Gaza flotilla's claim that it was bombed: 'No basis in truth'

Authorities Deny Gaza Flotilla’s Bombing Allegations: ‘Completely Unfounded’

<!–> Gaza aid activist group claims drone attacked its vessel The Global…
Decarlos Brown facing federal charge | Deadly light rail stabbing in Charlotte

Decarlos Brown Charged by Feds | Fatal Stabbing Incident on Charlotte Light Rail

Decarlos Brown, 34, could face either life in prison or the death…
Ukraine's defenses may collapse under escalating Russian attacks

Ukraine’s Defense Struggles Amid Intensifying Russian Assaults

Ukraine is facing the possibility of running low on air defense weapons…
Apple faces challenges ahead of WWDC 2025

Apple Set to Launch iPhone 17 Despite Global Trade Challenges

The new devices are still expected to be made in Apple’s manufacturing…