Authorities in New York have arrested a second suspect in a shocking case involving the kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist in an upscale SoHo townhouse. The alleged motive: stealing his cryptocurrency.
William Duplessie, 32, turned himself in on Tuesday after his alleged accomplice, John Woeltz, 37, was taken into custody last week. Both men are now charged with kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and related crimes, according to the BBC.
Held Hostage in SoHo for Bitcoin Access
The 28-year-old Italian tourist arrived in New York on 6 May and was allegedly lured to the rented townhouse, where he was imprisoned for 17 days. According to police, he was:
- Hung from a roof ledge
- Electrocuted with wires
- Threatened with a chainsaw
- Forced to smoke crack cocaine
His attackers demanded the password to his Bitcoin wallet, with threats against his life and his family. When they left to retrieve his laptop, the victim escaped barefoot and bloodied, later alerting authorities.
Who Are the Suspects?
John Woeltz, described as a crypto investor from Kentucky, allegedly rented the eight-bedroom SoHo townhouse for $30,000–$40,000/month. Duplessie is reportedly his business partner. The property became the site of prolonged and brutal assaults aimed at accessing the victim’s digital assets.
Police also arrested a woman at the scene, but prosecutors declined to press charges against her.
Evidence Found at the Scene
A police search uncovered:
- Polaroid photos showing the victim tied and tortured
- Firearms and illegal drugs
- Electronic devices potentially linked to crypto wallets
The case has raised alarm within law enforcement and the crypto community as another sign of the rising physical dangers tied to digital assets. CBS News reports that authorities believe the attackers saw crypto extortion as an alternative to conventional robbery.
Not an Isolated Incident
Just weeks earlier in France, police arrested more than 20 people involved in kidnapping plots targeting crypto entrepreneurs, including attempted abductions in Nantes and Paris. These incidents underscore the global rise of cyber-physical crimes tied to digital currencies.
Cybercrime expert David Seltzer told CBS, “Instead of robbing a bank, they can kidnap someone and get access to their Bitcoin wallet.” His view reflects broader concerns that crypto wealth is increasingly being targeted through physical coercion.
Crypto and Crime: A Growing Nexus
According to INTERPOL, cryptocurrency-related crimes are rapidly escalating in sophistication and violence. Law enforcement agencies are now training specialized cybercrime units to track wallet movements and respond to emerging threats in both digital and physical spaces.
Conclusion
This Manhattan case is a disturbing reminder that crypto investors can be vulnerable to not only online scams, but also violent physical extortion. As authorities work to tighten regulations and cybersecurity measures, the public is urged to remain cautious when dealing with high-value digital assets.
For more on how to protect your digital wealth, check out our guide to preventing cryptocurrency theft.
