Two cryptocurrency moguls face serious charges after allegedly kidnapping and torturing an Italian Bitcoin millionaire in a luxury SoHo townhouse. John Woeltz, 37, known as the “Kentucky crypto king,” and William Duplessie, 33, reportedly held Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan captive for nearly three weeks to extract his Bitcoin password.
Carturan, worth an estimated $30 million, was lured to the Prince Street residence on May 6. There, he endured severe beatings, drugging, electric shocks, and threats with a chainsaw. He was also pistol-whipped, urinated on, and had his arms and legs cut with a chainsaw. The ordeal ended when Carturan escaped barefoot and bloodied, seeking help from an NYPD traffic officer.
Woeltz was arrested shortly after the escape and is currently held without bail at Rikers Island. Duplessie surrendered to police after spending Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons. He faces charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and weapons possession. During his arraignment, Judge Julieta Lozano denied bail, citing the need to ensure his return to court. Duplessie’s next court date is set for Friday.
Both suspects were known for lavish spending at The Box, an exclusive Lower East Side nightclub, where they reportedly spent up to $100,000 in a single night. They often invited women back to the SoHo townhouse for afterparties.
Authorities believe the motive behind the brutal treatment was to extract Carturan’s cryptocurrency password. The case has raised alarms about the dangerous intersection of wealth, cryptocurrency, and crime.
