Alleged Cases of Brutal Bitcoin Extortion in Manhattan, New York
In the early hours of May 23rd, a distressed individual, escaping from a luxurious home on Mulberry Street in New York's SoHo neighborhood, approached a police officer, claiming to have been held captive for 17 days by two men.
The police arrived at the scene and apprehended John Woeltz, a 37-year-old crypto entrepreneur from Kentucky, who has been charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. His 24-year-old accomplice was also arrested, but not charged as of press time.
On Tuesday, William Duplessie, a 33-year-old entrepreneur from Miami and the founder of Pangea Blockchain International, surrendered and made his court appearance in a prison uniform. Duplessie is suspected of the same crimes.
According to the indictment, the victim, an Italian cryptocurrency entrepreneur named Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, had arrived in New York from Italy on May 6th. He was whisked to a townhouse rented by Woeltz after being threatened with harm to his family, police said. Woeltz and his associate confiscated Carturan's electronic devices and travel documents and demanded access to his Bitcoin account.
When Carturan refused, the two men allegedly tortured him, gunpoint threats, electric shocks, and beatings among the methods reportedly used, according to the indictment.
During a court hearing, Woeltz's lawyer, Wayne Ervin Gosnell, stressed Woeltz's clean criminal record, philosophy degree, and achievements in the tech sector. The defense requested a $2 million bail, with the condition that Woeltz would not leave the State of New York.
At the time of publication, the indictment against Woeltz remains sealed until a June 11 arrangement. Both Woeltz and Duplessie have pleaded not guilty, facing sentences of up to life imprisonment if convicted of the primary kidnapping charge.
Despite claims that Woeltz does not possess a private jet or a helicopter, images have emerged of the two suspects enjoying an exclusive New York nightlife at "The Box."
The recent surge in kidnappings or attempted kidnappings within the cryptocurrency world has raised concerns, particularly with record-high Bitcoin prices. Adam Healy, the president of Station70, a company specializing in cryptocurrency protection, attested to the rising frequency and severity of such attacks.
Cases such as this one shed light on the complicated and potentially dangerous aspects of conflicts within the cryptocurrency sphere. The investigation continues, with the examination of the suspects' phones, computers, and communications with the alleged victim likely to provide further insights into this bizarre incident.
[1] https://nypost.com/2023/05/23/bitcoin-king-accused-of-kidnapping-torturing-italian-entrepreneur-in-nyc/[2] https://www.tmz.com/2023/05/24/cryptocurrency-exec-kidnapped-tortured-in-new-york-city/[3] https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-nyc-kidnapping-bitcoin-entertainment-20230523-fqha6uzrfndh7fd5tbp6kwnywq-story.html[4] https://www.afp.com/en/news/303651[5] https://www.businessinsider.com/crypto-king-kidnapping-alleged-victim-rented-luxury-new-york-townhouse-2023-5
The recent surge in kidnappings within the cryptocurrency world, particularly with record-high Bitcoin prices, has sparked general-news discussions. The ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and torture of an Italian cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, involves tech figures John Woeltz and William Duplessie, both charged with several crimes related to technology.
