A shocking incident unfolded in an upscale Manhattan apartment, where a cryptocurrency investor was arrested and charged with kidnapping a man and subjecting him to weeks of torture in an attempt to steal his Bitcoin password. John Woeltz, 37, was taken into custody after the victim managed to escape from the townhouse and seek help from a passing traffic officer.
Woeltz appeared in court on charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm. He was remanded without bail pending further legal proceedings. His attorney, Wayne Gosnell, declined to comment on the case.
The victim, a 28-year-old man from Italy who arrived in New York City in early May, was abducted on May 6th, according to prosecutors. It remains unclear how the victim and Woeltz were connected, but authorities believe that others were involved in the plot to force the victim to reveal his Bitcoin password.
During his captivity, the victim was bound, drugged, and subjected to various forms of physical abuse, including electric shocks and threats of violence. The perpetrators even went as far as dangling him over a ledge and threatening to kill him if he did not cooperate. The victim managed to escape when he convinced Woeltz to retrieve his laptop, where the password was stored, and then made a run for it.
Upon his escape, the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries consistent with his ordeal. A search of the apartment yielded incriminating evidence, including drugs, weapons, and photos of the victim with a gun pointed at his head.
Prosecutors expressed concern that Woeltz, who possesses a private jet and a helicopter, may attempt to flee. He was ordered to surrender his passport and is scheduled to appear in court again next week.
This harrowing incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise in the world of cryptocurrency trading. It also highlights the importance of staying vigilant and taking precautions to protect one’s digital assets. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge about the motives behind this disturbing crime.
