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One in every of two suspects accused of torturing an Italian millionaire in a New York City condo over his refusal to reveal his bitcoin password, reportedly value $100 million, was sprung from jail after spending two months in custody.
John Woeltz, 37, was released from Rikers Island on $1 million bond, the New York Post reported. The discharge got here per week after a Manhattan decide granted bond for Woeltz and his alleged confederate, 33-year-old William Duplessie.
Each males are accused of kidnapping and torturing Italian crypto dealer Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. Protection attorneys argued the alleged torture was akin to “fraternity-like hazing.”
2 NYC COURT OFFICERS STABBED AT SITE OF ICONIC TRIALS
John Woeltz walks free from Manhattan Supreme Courtroom after being released on $1 million bail, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Woeltz, a Kentucky cryptocurrency investor, is accused of kidnapping and torturing an Italian vacationer in New York Metropolis in Could 2025. (Kevin Downs for Fox Information Digital)
“Mr. Carturan was there within the function of a pledge,” Woeltz’s legal professional, Wayne Gosnell, mentioned in a earlier listening to, in line with the Submit. “He was basically pledging and being hazed.”
Duplessie, a Miami resident, was not released Thursday. Each males have pleaded not responsible.
Woeltz, a Kentucky-based cryptocurrency investor, dodged questions on whether or not he tortured Carturan and the way it felt to be freed from jail as he walked out of Manhattan Supreme Courtroom, the Submit reported. Sources advised the newspaper the bond was a mix of money and property put up by Woeltz’s father.
John Woeltz walks free from Manhattan Supreme Courtroom after being released on $1 million bail, Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Kevin Downs for Fox Information Digital)
As a situation of his bail, Woeltz might be topic to house confinement and digital monitoring. He can solely depart his house for physician’s appointments, to satisfy together with his attorneys or for emergencies.
William Duplessie in police custody leaving the NYPD’s thirteenth Precinct stationhouse in Manhattan, N.Y., Could 27, 2025. (Barry Williams/New York Day by day Information through Getty Photos)
Prosecutors mentioned the pair kidnapped Carturan and tortured him over three weeks in a townhouse the place they allegedly took his digital gadgets and passport so he was unable to entry them.
“Informant additional states that the defendant and unapprehended male demanded that Informant present the defendant with Informant’s bitcoin password in order that the defendant and unapprehended male may take Informant’s Bitcoin,” a legal grievance states.
2ND SUSPECT DETAINED AFTER CRYPTO INVESTOR ACCUSED OF TORTURING BUSINESS PARTNER IN NYC
When Carturan refused to disclose his Bitcoin password, the pair allegedly subjected him to “beatings, together with however not restricted to utilizing electrical wires to shock Informant, utilizing a firearm to hit Informant on the top inflicting a laceration, pointing the firearm at Informant’s head on a number of events, and carrying Informant to the highest flight of stairs throughout the above-mentioned location and hanging Informant over the ledge because the defendant threatened to kill Informant if Informant didn’t present the defendant the Informant’s Bitcoin password,” the grievance added.
John Woeltz walks free from Manhattan Supreme Courtroom on Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Kevin Downs for Fox Information Digital)
Woeltz allegedly threatened the 28-year-old sufferer’s household in Italy whereas subjecting him to humiliation by having individuals urinate on him and forcing him to take drugs throughout captivity, authorities have mentioned.
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The pair allegedly wrote a manifesto about their plan to steal Carturan’s cryptocurrency, prosecutors mentioned. The alleged sufferer finally managed to flee and known as a close-by visitors officer.
Each defendants are scheduled to seem in courtroom Oct. 15.
