Second Suspect in SoHo Torture Case Expected to Surrender to Police
SoHo, Manhattan – A second suspect connected to the disturbing torture case of an Italian man in a SoHo apartment is anticipated to surrender to law enforcement later this week. The suspect, identified as a Swiss cryptocurrency investor, is expected to turn himself in alongside his legal representatives, following the arrest of 37-year-old John Woeltz, who was apprehended on May 26, 2025. John Woeltz, who reportedly lived at the address on Prince Street, is currently facing multiple charges, including assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm. Following his arraignment on Saturday morning, he was held without bail and ordered to surrender his passport. His next court appearance is slated for May 28. Two suspects arrested in connection with the incident were taken into custody on Friday after the 28-year-old victim managed to escape from the premises. The male victim, who had traveled from Italy, sought help from a nearby traffic agent after enduring weeks of alleged captivity.
The Disturbing Incident
According to police reports, Woeltz and his associates are accused of luring the victim back from Italy in a bid to extort millions in cryptocurrency. Upon his arrival on May 6, the victim was allegedly taken prisoner, stripped of his passport, and subjected to severe physical abuse over a two-week period.
Investigators reported that the victim was tied up with electrical cords and tortured using various methods, including electrocution and bludgeoning with a pistol. In a particularly harrowing detail, the suspects purportedly threatened to dismember him using an electric chainsaw.
Police recovered Polaroids documenting the victim’s torture, which were believed to have been taken with the intent to extort money from either him or his family in Italy. Reports also indicated that he was coerced into consuming illegal drugs and was subjected to constant psychological manipulation, including threats of imminent death.
The Arrest and Ongoing Investigations
When police stormed the lavish brownstone apartment, which had been repurposed into a scene described as a “house of horrors,” they found Woeltz in a bathrobe, barefoot, as he was taken into custody. Eyewitnesses recounted observing police activity that included a tactical response team entering the property, leading to the dramatic arrest of Woeltz.
The chaotic scene revealed a trashed interior filled with broken glass, weapons, drug paraphernalia, and other disturbing evidence, including the blood-stained remnants of the alleged torture.
Local vendors and residents noted unusual activity at the property, with frequent and diverse visitors, raising suspicions about the nature of the residence.
Victim’s Condition and Further Developments
The victim is currently receiving treatment for injuries sustained during his ordeal at Bellevue Hospital. Reports indicate that he endured numerous cuts and other traumas, with one injury believed to have been caused by the chainsaw.
The opulent eight-bedroom home on Prince Street is reportedly rented for between $30,000 and $40,000 per month, with its current market listing at $75,000 monthly. The incident prompted detectives to further interview other individuals present in the house at the time of the arrests, including staff members employed by the suspects.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into this unsettling case, which draws attention to the darker side of the cryptocurrency market and the potential for exploitation within emerging financial paradigms. As developments unfold, the legal proceedings against Woeltz and others involved are being closely monitored by both law enforcement and the public.
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