Second Suspect Detained in NYC Crypto Investor Torture Case
Law enforcement officials in New York City have detained a second suspect in the alleged torture of a man over a Bitcoin password dispute. William Duplessie, 37, surrendered to a Manhattan precinct on Tuesday and is facing charges of assault, kidnapping in the first degree, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, and criminal possession of a firearm. The NYPD spokesperson confirmed that Dupless, also known as John Woeltz, is the unapprehended male mentioned in the criminal complaint.
The alleged victim, an Italian former business partner, described the ordeal to investigators. The saga began on May 6 when he arrived at an address on Prince Street in Manhattan, according to police. According to the criminal complaint obtained by Fox News, Woeltz and Duplessie first took all of the victim’s electronic devices and passport to prevent access. They then demanded the victim provide his Bitcoin password, threatening violence and even the safety of the victim’s family if he refused.
Over the course of approximately three weeks, the accused subjected the victim to beatings, including electric shocks, a firearm hitting the victim’s head causing a laceration, and pointing the firearm at the victim’s head on several occasions. The victim was also carried to the top flight of stairs in the townhouse and hung over the ledge as threats of death were made. The victim eventually managed to escape and called a nearby traffic officer, leading to a dramatic police response with SWAT teams and emergency vehicles arriving at the scene.
Officers arrived at the address around 10 a.m. on Friday, and witnesses described the scene as chaotic as police, SWAT teams, and emergency services swarmed the location. A 24-year-old woman was also taken into custody in connection with the case, but the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stated that they declined to prosecute her at this time