Crypto Investor Tortured in Manhattan Townhouse Kidnapping

A man suspected of aiding in the kidnapping and torture of an Italian cryptocurrency investor in a Manhattan townhouse has surrendered to New York City police. William Duplessie turned himself in after several days of negotiations with authorities. He is the third suspect in an alleged scheme to extract the keys to a bitcoin wallet belonging to Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, a crypto fund associate who claimed he was held captive and abused for nearly three weeks.

The ordeal began on May 6 when Carturan arrived at a 17-room townhouse on Prince Street in Manhattan’s NoLiTa neighborhood. He was set to reconnect with former fund partner John Woeltz, who, along with another associate Beatrice Folchi, allegedly ambushed him. Police allege that the group attempted to force Carturan to surrender access to his crypto holdings, reportedly worth millions, through physical threats and psychological abuse. Carturan was assaulted, suspended from the top floor of the five-story building, and held at gunpoint. He managed to escape and alert authorities nearly three weeks later.

The New York City Police Department case has garnered attention for its brutality and connection to a growing trend of physical attacks on crypto users. In recent incidents, the daughter and grandson of a crypto CEO were targeted in a failed kidnapping attempt. Earlier, a crypto millionaire’s father was abducted and had a finger severed before being rescued. Another incident involved the kidnapping of a hardware wallet maker's co-founder and his wife, who were later rescued by authorities.

Folchi has since been released and her prosecution deferred, while Woeltz is scheduled to appear in court. Both Woeltz and Duplessie face kidnapping, assault, and illegal gun possession charges. An attorney representing Woeltz did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The third individual apprehended in connection with the kidnapping and torture of an Italian man in Manhattan is expected to face charges similar to those of the previous two suspects, John Woeltz and William Duplessie. The victim, a cryptocurrency investor, was allegedly held captive for over two weeks in a luxury apartment in SoHo, New York. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is expected to face charges similar to those of the previous two suspects, John Woeltz and William Duplessie. Woeltz, a crypto entrepreneur, was arrested on May 23, 2025, after the victim escaped and sought help from a traffic enforcement officer. The victim reported that he was beaten, subjected to electric shocks, and hung off a ledge after refusing to provide his bitcoin password. Multiple Polaroid pictures of the victim being tortured, as well as various torture items, were found in the apartment. A gun was also recovered from the scene. Duplessie surrendered to police on May 27, 2025, and is expected to face charges of kidnapping, assault, and unlawful imprisonment. The third suspect's arrest brings the total number of individuals charged in this case to three. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine if there are any additional suspects involved in the crime. The victim, who arrived in New York from Italy on May 6, 2025, was taken to the hospital after escaping and is currently recovering from his injuries. The case highlights the dark side of the cryptocurrency world, where individuals may resort to extreme measures to gain access to digital assets. The use of torture and kidnapping in this case is a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with the cryptocurrency industry. The investigation into this case is ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure that justice is served for the victim. The third suspect's arrest is a significant development in the case, and it is hoped that it will lead to further progress in the investigation. The victim's recovery is a top priority for authorities, and they are working to ensure that he receives the necessary medical care and support. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution in the cryptocurrency world, and the need for individuals to protect their digital assets from potential threats.