Crypto investor charged with kidnapping, torturing an Italian for passwords
A Manhattan crypto investor, John Woeltz, 37, faces serious charges for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian man to gain access to his digital assets. Woeltz was arrested after the victim escaped from a luxury townhouse in Soho, where he was held captive for weeks. The victim was reportedly abducted upon arriving in the U.S. on May 6, with his passport and electronic devices stolen. He endured severe physical abuse, including beatings, electric shocks, and threats against his family. Photographic evidence supports claims of abuse. Woeltz has been charged with four felony counts, including kidnapping for ransom, and pleaded not guilty. He is held without bail, with a court date set for May 28. A 24-year-old woman was also arrested but faced no charges. The relationship between the suspect and victim remains unclear. Concurrently, crypto executives are increasingly hiring personal security due to rising kidnapping incidents, prompting enhanced protections from authorities in France.
