William Duplessie, 32, has been charged with kidnapping and torture alongside his accomplice John Woeltz, after a victim managed to escape captivity during their brutal attempts to extract a Bitcoin wallet password.
Manhattan Residents Shocked as Second Suspect Arrested in Crypto Kidnapping Case
Manhattan Residents Shocked as Second Suspect Arrested in Crypto Kidnapping Case
A second suspect has been apprehended for allegedly torturing an Italian tourist in a bid to seize his cryptocurrency holdings, unfolding a disturbing case in the heart of New York City.
A second suspect has been arrested in connection with a disturbing case of alleged kidnapping and torture involving an Italian tourist in an upscale Manhattan residence, heightening concerns surrounding emerging threats in the world of cryptocurrency. William Duplessie, 32, surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, shortly after his accomplice, 37-year-old John Woeltz, faced arrest last week.
The horrifying ordeal reportedly lasted nearly three weeks, as the victim recounted being subjected to horrific acts, including being dangled from a rooftop, electrocuted, and threatened with a chainsaw in an effort to force the victim to divulge his Bitcoin wallet password. Both suspects now find themselves facing severe charges, including kidnapping for ransom, assault, and unlawful imprisonment.
The harrowing events took place in SoHo, one of New York's wealthiest neighborhoods, where the victim, who has not been publicly identified, was held captive after arriving from Italy on May 6. Police reports indicate that upon arrival, Woeltz confiscated the victim’s passport, casting him into a nightmarish captivity until he managed to escape on Friday.
Following his escape, the victim reported the incidents to police, who promptly discovered a wealth of evidence, including Polaroid photographs documenting the torment, alongside firearms and illegal drugs housed in the opulent rental property that Woeltz had leased for a hefty monthly fee ranging between $30,000 and $40,000.
In a related development in France, over 20 people were arrested amid rising concerns over kidnapping plots targeting cryptocurrency entrepreneurs and their families. Recent investigations highlight a troubling trend in which individuals are increasingly being targeted for their crypto wealth, culminating in multiple abduction attempts across Europe.
