- John Woeltz was charged with kidnapping and torturing an Italian vacationer.
- Police discovered proof of torture, together with Polaroid photographs.
John Woeltz, a 37-year-old cryptocurrency investor, was arrested in New York Metropolis on Could 23, 2025, for holding and tormenting a 28-year-old Italian vacationer. In keeping with the indictment, Woeltz saved the sufferer in a Manhattan townhouse for weeks, making an attempt to get the passwords to the sufferer’s Bitcoin holdings. Officers say the sufferer arrived within the U.S. on Could 6 and was taken to Woeltz’s SoHo home, the place they stayed for a number of days.
The sufferer arrived on a aircraft, solely to have his passport taken away after being promised a enterprise assembly. The suspects reportedly saved him tied up with electrical cords and abused him again and again. In keeping with prosecutors, the torture included electrical shocks, beatings from a firearm, and cuts made with a noticed. Assistant District Lawyer Emily Mattson mentioned in courtroom on Could 24, “They threatened to kill his household until he obeyed.”
Among the many Polaroid photographs discovered by the police have been photographs of the sufferer being tortured, with one displaying a gun at his head. An AirTag was positioned across the sufferer’s neck so it could possibly be tracked. A crypto dealer who owns about $30 million fled from Italy on Could 23 and flagged down a police officer for assist. He was transferred to Bellevue Hospital after being stabbed and lower by a chainsaw on his leg.
Woeltz has been accused of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, illegal imprisonment, and prison possession of a firearm. He appeared in Manhattan Felony Courtroom and was not allowed to put up bail. Authorities have identified that Woeltz has been concerned with cryptocurrency since 2011 and has taken half in HyperCash and Grin tasks.
Second Suspect Arrested, Launched
On Could 23, Beatrice Folchi, a 24-year-old, was arrested as a part of the case. The primary fees towards her have been first-degree kidnapping and illegal imprisonment. Even so, the Manhattan District Lawyer didn’t file fees towards Folchi as a result of extra investigation was required. Police are on the lookout for a second man they consider is linked to the crime. Woeltz allegedly employed two others, and police are questioning them right now, however haven’t introduced fees towards them.
Police visited the SoHo townhouse, which is at Prince and Mulberry Streets, after it grew to become against the law scene. Throughout their go to, they discovered and picked up torture instruments and footage. An NYPD spokesperson mentioned, “He was saved towards his will for weeks.” Investigators are nonetheless working on the home, on the lookout for any extra indicators of what occurred.
The sufferer, who has not been recognized, mentioned he did enterprise with Woeltz previously. He visited New York with the hope of settling monetary affairs, however as an alternative, he was held and abused. They compelled him to smoke crack cocaine and utilized shocks to him, prosecutors defined intimately. Many have expressed fear in regards to the risks of enormous cryptocurrency transactions, which consultants are advising the trade to handle.