NYPD Officers Removed After Crypto Torture Case Involving $30 Million

Two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers have been temporarily removed from active duty following allegations of their involvement in a disturbing crypto-related torture case in SoHo. The incident has drawn significant public attention and raised serious concerns about the integrity of law enforcement in the city.

The case centers around two suspects, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, who are accused of kidnapping, assault, and unlawful imprisonment. According to prosecutors, the suspects lured an Italian victim, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, to New York by threatening his family. Upon his arrival, Carturan was stripped of his electronics and passport, bound by the wrists, and subjected to severe beatings, electric shocks, and other forms of torture. The victim was reportedly hung over a ledge and threatened with death if he did not provide his Bitcoin password. The suspects allegedly used a saw to cut his leg, urinated on him, and forced him to smoke crack cocaine.

One of the officers under investigation, Roberto Cordero, is alleged to have acted as a driver and facilitator, personally picking up the victim from an area airport upon his arrival in New York on May 6. Cordero then transported the man to a luxury townhouse on Prince Street in SoHo, where the victim was held hostage and subjected to brutal torture. Cordero is assigned to the NYPD’s Elite Executive Protection Unit, a division tasked with safeguarding high-ranking city officials, including the mayor of New York City.

The second officer under scrutiny, Raymond J. Low, is reportedly connected to the suspects through financial ties, having allegedly been paid to serve as private security for one or both of the primary suspects. The nature of those services hasn’t been fully disclosed, and it remains unclear whether the officers directly engaged with the victim. They were placed on administrative leave after their alleged connections to suspects emerged.

This case has become one of the most shocking crypto-related crimes to date, due to the level of violence and prolonged abuse. Court documents allege that Woeltz and Duplessie bound Carturan, beat him with a gun, subjected him to electric shocks, terrorized him with a chainsaw, and forced him to smoke crack cocaine. Over the course of three weeks, the suspects subjected Carturan to repeated cycles of abuse in an effort to force him to surrender access to his cryptocurrency holdings. His net worth was estimated at approximately $30 million.

Carturan eventually escaped on May 22, the same day he said was supposed to be his “death day.” Upon his escape, law enforcement recovered a saw, crack cocaine, chicken wire, body armor, night vision goggles, ballistic helmets, and various other items from the townhouse. The eight-bedroom, 10-bathroom home, rented for $30,000 to $40,000 a month, was the site of the alleged torture.

“Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty,” New York City Hall stated. “We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty. The investigation is ongoing.”

The investigation has also revealed that two NYPD detectives who worked security at the townhouse are under scrutiny. This development has raised concerns about potential corruption within the department and has led to the temporary removal of several officers from active duty. The NYPD is conducting an internal investigation to determine the extent of the officers' involvement and to hold them accountable if necessary.

Prosecutors have provided additional details about the case, including the fact that the suspects promised the victim he would get back the Bitcoin he was previously forced to hand over. The victim was held captive for approximately 17 days, during which he was subjected to various forms of torture. The suspects face severe penalties, including a minimum of 15 years to life in prison.

The case has highlighted the dark side of the cryptocurrency world, where high-stakes investments and ruthless tactics can lead to extreme violence. It has also underscored the need for vigilance and accountability within law enforcement agencies to prevent such abuses of power. The NYPD's internal investigation is ongoing, and the public awaits further developments in this disturbing case.