Crypto Investor Charged with Kidnapping and Torturing Tourist in Manhattan
A 37-year-old cryptocurrency investor, John Woeltz, has been charged with kidnapping and torturing a man for several weeks inside a luxury townhouse in Manhattan, according to New York City prosecutors. The alleged incident was part of a scheme to extract the victim’s Bitcoin password.
Arrest and Charges
Woeltz was arrested on Friday in the NoLIta neighborhood of Manhattan, shortly after the victim managed to escape the townhouse and contact authorities. He was arraigned on Saturday morning in Manhattan criminal court, facing multiple charges including assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm. The Manhattan district attorney’s office stated that Woeltz has been ordered to be held without bail and surrender his passport.
In addition to Woeltz, another individual, identified as Beatrice Folchi, was also arrested and faces charges of kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. The relationship between Folchi and Woeltz has not been disclosed, and a third suspect, described as an "unapprehended male," was mentioned in the court proceedings.
The Victim’s Ordeal
The victim, a 28-year-old man from Italy, reported that he arrived in New York City on May 6. He had been drawn to the townhouse rented by Woeltz, who, according to reports, was leasing the eight-bedroom home for approximately $30,000 per month. Upon his arrival, the victim was allegedly robbed of his electronic devices and passport by Woeltz and the unnamed accomplice, who demanded access to his Bitcoin account.
When the victim refused to provide the password, Woeltz and the accomplice reportedly took drastic measures, holding him captive for about three weeks. The criminal complaint detailed horrifying conditions that included beatings, electric shocks, and threats to his life and family. Allegations state that the assailants bound the victim’s wrists and even threatened him with a firearm while suspending him over a staircase ledge.
Rescue and Investigation
The nightmare finally came to an end on Friday morning when the victim successfully escaped the townhouse and sought help from a nearby traffic agent. New York police responded swiftly, apprehending Woeltz soon after and securing the victim, who was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
Investigators discovered Polaroid images within the home that depicted the victim bound and enduring abuse, alongside various items purportedly used in the torture. Authorities also confiscated a firearm from inside the residence. Notably, two butlers employed at the townhouse were present during the incident and agreed to cooperate with law enforcement.
Context and Broader Implications
This alarming case follows a series of incidents involving the kidnapping and violent assault of cryptocurrency executives and their families across the United States, highlighting a troubling trend linked to the high-stakes world of digital assets. The abduction of the Italian tourist has drawn comparisons to recent cases in the region, such as a couple in southern New Jersey charged with imprisoning an 18-year-old girl for seven years, and another individual who escaped captivity after setting fire to their captor’s home.
Both Woeltz and Folchi are currently awaiting further legal proceedings, as investigations continue into this disturbing case that has left the New York community in shock.
Maia Coleman and Chelsia Rose Marcius are reporters for The New York Times, specializing in criminal justice and law enforcement. This story reflects ongoing developments in the legal proceedings and the implications of cryptocurrency-related crimes.
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