An investigation continues right into a Manhattan case seemingly proper out of a film, the main points of that are as surprising as they’re disturbing.
John Woeltz was arrested Friday and arraigned on costs of kidnapping, illegal imprisonment and assault, amongst different costs. He and a enterprise associate spent weeks torturing a 3rd enterprise associate, an Italian citizen, who got here to New York Metropolis on Could 6, regulation enforcement sources stated.
Investigators imagine the connection among the many three males had been tumultuous up to now, however got here to a head when the Italian arrived early within the month.
Woeltz and the associate allegedly took the sufferer’s passport and digital gadgets, then demanded he give them his Bitcoin password. When the 28-year-old refused to conform, that is when the torture began, police stated.
He was sure by his wrists, pistol-whipped, had a gun held to his head, a chainsaw used on his leg, and urinated on. His captors additionally dangled him off the constructing as threatened his household.
After 17 days contained in the torture chamber of the “Crypto King,” the sufferer lastly managed to flee on Friday. Police stated they discovered him lined in cuts and bruises, with ligature marks on his wrists from being sure.
Whereas Woeltz was taken into custody, detectives are nonetheless trying to find the opposite enterprise associate concerned.
Authorities imagine Woeltz is a big-name crypto forex dealer from Kentucky with an estimated price round $100 million. He had reportedly been renting out the Nolita residence at a month-to-month fee of not less than $30,000.
Woeltz was ordered held with out bond. His legal professional didn’t communicate to the media after arraignment on Saturday.
