Second Arrest Made in Shocking Manhattan Crypto Kidnapping Case

William Duplessie faces serious charges after his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist in Manhattan, aiming to extract the victim's Bitcoin password.

A second suspect has surrendered to law enforcement as details emerge regarding a horrific scheme involving the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist in Manhattan, intended to extort cryptocurrency. William Duplessie, 32, reportedly turned himself in after the arrest of an alleged accomplice earlier this month.

The unnamed victim has recounted harrowing experiences, including being dangled off a rooftop, subjected to electrical shocks, and interrogated with threats to reveal his Bitcoin wallet password. Both suspects now face charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and other serious offenses.

Authorities stated that the ordeal began when the victim arrived in New York on May 6 and was immediately taken hostage by John Woeltz, 37, a crypto investor from Kentucky who has rented a luxurious SoHo residence for between $30,000 and $40,000 a month. According to reports, the victim was held captive for 17 days, enduring physical abuse, threats against his family, and isolation from the outside world. He was forced to consume drugs and ultimately devised an escape plan, fleeing the opulent eight-bedroom townhouse bloodied and barefoot.

Upon reporting the incident, the victim was treated at a hospital. A police investigation revealed disturbing Polaroid images of the victim during the abuse, alongside firearms and illegal substances found in the premises.

As law enforcement expands its reach on cryptocurrency-related crimes, notable developments in France have seen over 20 arrests linked to various kidnapping plots targeting crypto entrepreneurs and their families. These incidents underline an alarming trend that experts warn could escalate as criminals seek easier pathways to financial gain through extortion. “It's becoming a thing because people think it's an easy way to get cash,” remarked David Seltzer, a criminal defense lawyer specializing in cyber-crime.