Second Suspect Arrested in NYC Torture Case Involving Crypto Investor and Business Partner
Second suspect surrenders in NYC Bitcoin password torture case, police reveal.
A second suspect has been detained in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian man inside a Manhattan townhouse, authorities said Tuesday. William Duplessie surrendered to police at a Manhattan precinct earlier in the day and now faces multiple felony charges, including assault, first-degree kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the New York Police Department.
Duplessie's arrest comes just days after John Woeltz, 37, was apprehended outside his SoHo residence. Woeltz was reportedly found barefoot and in a robe after the alleged victim managed to escape captivity and alert authorities. Both men now face the same list of serious charges stemming from the incident, which police say unfolded over nearly three weeks.
According to a criminal complaint, the ordeal began on May 6 when the Italian victim, described by sources as a former business associate of Woeltz, arrived at a Prince Street address. The complaint alleges that Woeltz, together with Duplessie, confiscated the man's electronic devices and passport, effectively isolating him. The two suspects then demanded that the victim hand over his Bitcoin password.
When the man refused to yield his password, investigators allege that he was subjected to a range of violent acts. The complaint details beatings, threats, and the use of electric wires to inflict shocks. The suspects allegedly struck the victim with a firearm, pointed the weapon at his head several times, and threatened to kill him. In one instance, they reportedly carried him to the top flight of stairs in the townhouse and dangled him over the ledge, further escalating their demands for access to his cryptocurrency.
Authorities stated that the victim's wrists were tied, binding him and severely restricting his movement throughout the incident. At one point, the suspects allegedly threatened to have his family killed if he failed to comply with their requests.
The man eventually managed a daring escape and sought help from a nearby traffic officer. Police responded swiftly to the call on Friday morning, with witnesses describing a dramatic scene as officers, SWAT teams, and emergency vehicles converged on the building.
During the operation, a 24-year-old woman was also taken into custody in connection with the case. However, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has declined to prosecute her at this time, citing an ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the incident, which has drawn significant attention due to its connection with cryptocurrency and the alleged use of torture in an upscale Manhattan neighborhood.
