Grand Jury Indicts William Duplessie in SoHo Crypto Torture Case
SoHo, Manhattan (WABC) – A grand jury has indicted William Duplessie, one of the key suspects in a disturbing crypto torture case, following his brief court appearance on Friday. The indictment further unfolds a harrowing story involving allegations of kidnapping and false imprisonment targeting an Italian businessman.
Duplessie, 32, turned himself in earlier this week alongside another suspect, 37-year-old John Woeltz. Both men are allegedly implicated in the brutal treatment of their victim, who is reportedly known to them. According to police reports, the two suspects tortured the businessman in Woeltz’s upscale Manhattan apartment, using violence and drugs to coerce him into providing access to his cryptocurrency passwords. Witness accounts describe a terrifying experience where the victim was allegedly beaten, drugged, and, at one point, dangled over a five-story staircase.
Details of the Abduction
Authorities reported that the kidnapping transpired on May 6, when Duplessie and Woeltz allegedly lured the victim to a posh townhouse in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood under the threat of violence against his family. The victim was held captive for 17 days, during which he endured severe physical and psychological abuse, leading to bloodied and shoeless escape when his captors briefly left him unattended.
After finally obtaining access to his computer password, the victim seized the opportunity to flee. He managed to reach the street where, according to police, he was found in a state of distress. Investigating officers later conducted a search of the masters residence, uncovering a disturbing cache of items that included cocaine, a saw, body armor, night vision goggles, ammunition, and Polaroid photos depicting the victim in compromising positions.
Investigation into NYPD Involvement
In addition to the charges against Duplessie and Woeltz, the case has led to scrutiny of two NYPD detectives who are under investigation for their connections to the suspects. Reports indicate that these off-duty detectives had been providing private security for one of the accused individuals. One detective, affiliated with the mayor’s advanced security team, reportedly transported the victim from the airport to his townhouse shortly before the alleged abduction occurred.
An ongoing Internal Affairs investigation aims to determine how long the detectives were employed by the suspect and whether their work was officially sanctioned. According to the NYPD, officers are prohibited from working private security jobs without formal approval.
In a statement, the mayor’s office expressed concern regarding the allegations and confirmed that as soon as the situation was reported, the involved officers were placed on modified duty. "Every city employee is expected to follow the law, including our officers, both on and off duty. We are disturbed by these allegations, and as soon as it came to our attention, the officers were placed on modified duty," the statement read.
Response from Law Enforcement
Robert Boyce, a former NYPD Chief of Detectives, commented on the issue, suggesting that if the detectives acted in good faith under reasonable assumptions, it could clarify their involvement. The detectives’ union echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that there is no indication any officer was aware of the alleged illegal activities occurring at the townhouse.
As the investigation continues, authorities are also looking into the roles of two unidentified women who reportedly interacted with the victim during his captivity, possibly attempting to persuade him to divulge his cryptocurrency login credentials.
Conclusion
The indictment of William Duplessie adds another dimension to an already shocking case that has captured public attention. As the complexities of the situation evolve, law enforcement remains focused on uncovering the full truth behind the events and ensuring that justice is served for the victim involved.
This report is based on sources from WABC and ongoing police investigations.
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