Cryptocurrency Investor Apprehended for Alleged Role in Peculiar Chainsaw Maltreatment Incident
In a shocking turn of events, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, two defendants accused of kidnapping and torturing Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, pleaded not guilty to all charges in a June 11 hearing at the New York Supreme Criminal Court. The charges include kidnapping, assault, coercion, attempted grand larceny, false imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon, linked to a violent effort to gain access to Carturan’s cryptocurrency wallets.
The alleged ordeal took place in a SoHo apartment, where Carturan was held captive for about three weeks. He suffered beatings, electric shocks, and threats with a gun to force him to reveal his crypto wallet passwords. Carturan eventually managed to escape and seek help.
Woeltz, a 37-year-old from Kentucky, and Duplessie, a 33-year-old crypto investor from Florida, are being held without bail as Justice Gregory Carro oversees the case. If convicted, they face potential sentences up to life in prison.
Prosecutors state that the men had been friends and business partners for years, with Carturan introducing Duplessie and Woeltz to each other. The crime reportedly followed a falling out over financial matters within their crypto venture.
Beatrice Folchi, aged 24, was arrested last week and charged with kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. However, the latest publicly available information does not detail her involvement in the case. Folchi, who has been described as an "actress," a marketing specialist, and Woeltz's assistant, was released from custody.
The Manhattan DA's Office declined to prosecute Folchi pending further investigation. New York Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that Duplessie will be charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment alongside Woeltz.
The case is part of a broader pattern of violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders globally. Organized (and not so organized) criminal groups have exploited the offline holdings of crypto investors, leading to a surge of violent crime within the crypto community over the past year. This surge includes kidnappings, assaults, and murders targeting high-profile crypto investors.
Federal authorities, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), have been involved in an ongoing investigation connected to the case, carrying out raids on properties linked to Woeltz and Duplessie. The New York Times reported the arrest of both Duplessie and Woeltz in connection to the case. Police sources say that Polaroids of the crimes were found at the scene, supporting Carturan’s account.
As of the latest updates, no trial date has been set, and the legal proceedings are ongoing. The case has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with cryptocurrency ownership and the need for enhanced security measures to protect investors.
- Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the future of technology enthusiast and crypto investor William Duplessie remains uncertain, as he faces charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment in connection with a violent crime aimed at gaining access to another individual's cryptocurrency wallets.
- In the realm of general news and crime-and-justice, the case of John Woeltz and William Duplessie, who pleaded not guilty to charges linked to the kidnapping and torture of a fellow crypto investor, represents a stark example of the increasing threat posed by tech-savvy criminals targeting the financial holdings of cryptocurrency owners.
- Amidst the rise in violent crimes against cryptocurrency holders worldwide, the ongoing investigation by federal authorities, such as the ATF, into the properties linked to defendants John Woeltz and William Duplessie signifies a growing recognition of the need for increased security measures to safeguard the financial future of tech-focused investors.
