A cryptocurrency investor got himself in some serious trouble in New York City. John Woeltz, 37, was arrested and charged with kidnapping a man and holding him captive in a fancy Manhattan apartment. The victim was subjected to beatings, electric shocks, and threats to his family in order to get him to reveal his Bitcoin password. Woeltz was nabbed after the victim managed to escape and seek help from a passing traffic officer. He now faces a laundry list of charges, including kidnapping, assault, and possession of a firearm.
The victim, a 28-year-old man from Italy, had arrived in the Big Apple in early May. It’s unclear how he and Woeltz crossed paths, but prosecutors revealed that the victim was snatched on May 6 as part of a plot to drain his Bitcoin wallet. The poor guy was tied up, tortured, and drugged for weeks inside the apartment. His captors went to extreme lengths, even dangling him over a ledge and threatening to end his life if he didn’t spill the beans on his password. In a moment of desperation, the victim agreed to give up the information and made a daring escape when the opportunity presented itself. He was rushed to a hospital to treat his injuries, which matched his account of being bound and abused.
A search of the townhouse turned up a disturbing collection of items, including drugs, weapons, and photos of the victim in distress. Prosecutors are concerned that Woeltz might try to flee the country, given his access to a private jet and a helicopter. Despite being ordered to surrender his passport, the investor remains a flight risk. The investigation is ongoing, with more details expected to emerge as the case progresses. Stay tuned for updates on this bizarre and unsettling story.
