In a disturbing tale that blends modern tech obsession with old-fashioned brutality, a second man has been arrested in connection with a harrowing Bitcoin-related torture case that played out in the heart of New York City.
William Duplessie turned himself in to police at a Manhattan precinct this week, facing a slew of charges that include first-degree kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm. His alleged partner in crime, John Woeltz, 37, was dramatically arrested earlier this month, barefoot and wearing only a bathrobe outside his SoHo residence, after the victim managed a daring escape.
The case centers around an Italian businessman and former associate of Woeltz, who reportedly flew to New York on May 6, only to walk into what authorities describe as a high-tech trap with medieval consequences. Woeltz — known in crypto circles as an investor and enthusiast — allegedly conspired with Duplessie to extract the victim’s Bitcoin password by force.
Court documents reveal a chilling pattern of violence: the pair reportedly confiscated the victim’s electronics and passport, then subjected him to beatings, electric shocks, and firearm threats when he refused to give up the information. The ordeal allegedly spanned nearly three weeks, with the victim detained inside a townhouse and dangled over a staircase to force compliance.
Adding to the terror, Woeltz and Duplessie allegedly threatened the victim’s family — a move that turned a digital asset dispute into a deeply personal, psychological assault.
Despite his ordeal, the victim managed to escape and flag down a traffic officer, triggering a massive police response. SWAT teams and emergency services swarmed the upscale neighborhood, leaving residents shaken and stunned by the horror hidden behind townhouse walls.
Authorities also detained a 24-year-old woman in connection with the case, though the Manhattan DA has chosen not to press charges against her for now. Investigators continue to unravel the full scope of what appears to be a premeditated and deeply disturbing crime driven by digital greed.
This case isn’t just a shocking crime story — it’s a wake-up call.
As cryptocurrencies continue to rise in value and prominence, we’re seeing more real-world consequences tied to what many still think of as purely digital assets. The violence in this case wasn’t carried out behind a screen. It played out in flesh and blood, in one of the most expensive zip codes in the country, over a string of numbers that unlock a virtual vault.
It’s a grim reminder that as society races to embrace new technology, we’re also unlocking new frontiers for crime. The lure of fast money and untraceable wealth is attracting not just hackers, but violent criminals willing to do whatever it takes to cash in.
Thanks to law enforcement’s swift action, both key suspects are now in custody. But the questions this case raises — about greed, security, and the dark underbelly of the digital age — are far from settled.
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