News Summary
John Woeltz, known as the ‘crypto king of Kentucky’, has been arrested in New York City for allegedly kidnapping and torturing his Italian business partner. The victim endured over two weeks of brutal treatment, including imprisonment, assault, and threats. Authorities are investigating the case and have collected evidence from Woeltz’s luxury townhouse. A second suspect is expected to surrender, and concerns over the victim’s connections to the cryptocurrency world and potential involvement in sex work are emerging.
New York City
John Woeltz, a 37-year-old known as the “crypto king of Kentucky,” has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and assault in connection with the kidnapping and torture of his Italian business partner. Woeltz was apprehended on Friday after the victim, who had endured over two weeks of severe abuse, managed to escape and seek help from a traffic officer.
The incident reportedly began on May 6 when the victim, an Italian citizen, arrived in New York City. Authorities allege that Woeltz and an accomplice confiscated the victim’s passport and electronic devices and then demanded access to his Bitcoin password to get his assets. The pair is accused of subjecting the victim to brutal treatment, including being bound, pistol-whipped, and threatened with a firearm. The victim was also urinated on, dangled off a building as a threat, and had a chainsaw used against him during the ordeal.
After 17 harrowing days of captivity, the victim succeeded in escaping and reached out for assistance from law enforcement. Police discovered him with visible signs of severe injury, including multiple cuts and bruises. Following the investigation, law enforcement collected substantial evidence from Woeltz’s luxury six-story townhouse in Nolita, New York City, including Polaroid images of the victim during torture, a firearm, and various torture implements.
A second suspect in the case, William Duplessie, is expected to surrender to authorities. The specifics of his involvement in the troubling events remains unclear at this time. Woeltz, who has an estimated net worth of around $100 million, was renting the townhouse for at least $30,000 a month. The Italian victim is believed to be worth approximately $30 million, raising questions about the dynamics of their relationship.
Neighbors living near Woeltz reported hearing loud parties at the townhouse but were seemingly unaware of the troubling acts occurring inside. Authorities have noted that the relationship between Woeltz, Duplessie, and the victim was fraught with tension and conflict.
During a court appearance, Woeltz was ordered to be held without bail due to concerns that he could flee, especially given his ownership of a private jet and helicopter. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the victim’s interactions with the suspects, including speculation that the victim may have been involved in sex work or that their connections arose from the cryptocurrency sphere.
This unsettling case has drawn significant attention, prompting a local priest to sprinkle holy water at the scene due to the violent allegations involved. Law enforcement is currently piecing together the timeline and details surrounding the 17 days of torture as they seek justice for the victim.
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Additional Resources
- NBC New York: 2nd Suspect Surrenders in NYC Crypto King Townhouse Torture Case
- WLWT: John Woeltz Arrested for Kidnap, Torture of Man in NYC
- ABC 7: Crypto Kidnapping – John Woeltz Charged
- Google Search: Crypto King Kidnapping
- The Times: Crypto Investor Kidnapped Italian Tourist
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
