William Duplessie, a 32-year-old man, has been arrested as the second suspect in a harrowing case involving the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist in an upscale Manhattan residence. Authorities report that Duplessie turned himself in shortly after his alleged accomplice, 37-year-old John Woeltz, was apprehended last week.
The victim recounted a horrific ordeal during which he was tortured for weeks, allegedly suspended from a ledge, shocked with electrical devices, and threatened with a chainsaw in a bid to extract his cryptocurrency wallet information.
Charges against both Duplessie and Woeltz include kidnapping for ransom, assault, and unlawful imprisonment. The victim managed to escape from a SoHo property, known for its luxury and wealth, after being bound and mistreated for nearly three weeks. Woeltz, a crypto investor from Kentucky, reportedly rented the SoHo home for a staggering monthly fee of $30,000 to $40,000, according to CBS News.
Additionally, a woman was arrested alongside the two men, but prosecutors have opted not to proceed with charges against her. The unnamed victim had traveled from Italy to New York on May 6 and stated that upon arrival, Woeltz confiscated his passport and held him captive. He ultimately fled on Friday morning and contacted law enforcement, subsequently requiring hospitalization for his injuries.
Upon investigation, police found disturbing evidence, including Polaroids of the victim being tortured, alongside firearms and narcotics in the luxury residence. In a related development, French authorities have arrested over 20 individuals linked to kidnappings of crypto entrepreneurs’ families, indicating a growing issue surrounding crypto-related crimes.
This case spotlights the increasing dangers faced by cryptocurrency investors and the extreme lengths to which some may go to obtain digital wealth.
