A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist in a luxury Manhattan home, reportedly to steal his cryptocurrency. William Duplessie, 32, is charged alongside John Woeltz, 37, with kidnapping, assault, and unlawful imprisonment after the victim allegedly endured weeks of captivity and abuse.
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Details of the Second Arrest
William Duplessie surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, following the arrest of his alleged accomplice, John Woeltz, last week. Both men face charges including kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault, and unlawful imprisonment.
Duplessie’s lawyer stated at a court hearing that his client’s involvement is “hotly disputed” and highlighted that Duplessie turned himself in. The lawyer requested $1 million bail and permission for Duplessie to reside with his father in Florida, but the judge denied the request, ordering him held in detention.
Allegations of Torture and Captivity
According to police, the victim, a 28-year-old Italian national, arrived in New York from Italy on May 6. He alleges that upon arrival at the suspect’s residence, his passport was taken, and he was held captive for approximately 17 days.
The victim told police he was subjected to various forms of torture as his captors demanded the password to his Bitcoin wallet. This allegedly included being hung off a roof ledge, shocked with electrical wires, and threatened with a chainsaw. He also reported being struck with a gun, having threats made against his family, and being forced to smoke crack cocaine.
The First Suspect and the Location
The alleged victim managed to escape from a home in SoHo, a wealthy Manhattan neighborhood, where he claims he was tortured and bound for nearly three weeks.
Police identified William Duplessie as a business partner of John Woeltz, who was arrested on Friday. Mr. Woeltz, a crypto investor from Kentucky, reportedly rented the SoHo property where the assaults allegedly occurred. According to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, the rental cost for the home was between $30,000 and $40,000 per month.
Investigators also arrested a woman on Friday in connection with the case, but prosecutors have since declined to press charges against her.
Victim’s Escape and Evidence
The alleged victim stated he escaped on Friday morning, barefoot and covered in blood. He told police he agreed to provide the men with his password. When they went to retrieve his laptop, he fled the eight-bedroom townhouse.
He immediately reported the incident to authorities and was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. A police search of the SoHo residence reportedly uncovered several Polaroid photographs showing the victim tied up, as well as firearms and drugs.
Getty Images William Duplessie wearing a white dress shirt is being led by police detective who is gripping his arm.
At his court hearing, John Woeltz was also ordered to remain in jail. Prosecutors argued that he posed a flight risk due to his financial means, including access to a private jet and helicopter.
Broader Context: Rise of Crypto-Related Crimes
This case in New York occurs amidst reports of similar crimes targeting individuals involved with cryptocurrency.
In France, police recently arrested more than 20 people following investigations into several kidnapping plots aimed at crypto entrepreneurs and their families. Authorities linked these arrests to an attempted abduction in Nantes and the attempted kidnapping of a woman and child in Paris in May.
David Seltzer, a criminal defense attorney specializing in cyber-crime, commented on the increasing frequency of such incidents. He told CBS News that this trend is emerging because criminals perceive it as an accessible method to obtain cash. “Instead of robbing a bank, they can kidnap someone and get access to their Bitcoin wallet or crypto wallet,” Seltzer stated. The New York case highlights how the digital nature of cryptocurrency can sometimes be exploited through physical violence.
