Kentucky crypto investor allegedly tortured captive Italian tourist for weeks in luxury NYC apartment: sources
A horrifying incident unfolded in a luxurious Manhattan apartment where a cryptocurrency investor from Kentucky allegedly tortured an Italian tourist in a sadistic extortion attempt to gain access to his cryptocurrency accounts. The victim, a 28-year-old man, managed to escape after being held captive for over two weeks in a house of horrors on Prince Street in SoHo.
The suspect, John Woeltz, 37, was renting the upscale apartment for a hefty sum of $30,000 to $40,000 a month. The tourist was subjected to unimaginable torture, including being bound with electrical wire, Tased, pistol-whipped, forced to take cocaine, and threatened with an electric chainsaw. Polaroid photos found at the scene depicted the victim tied up and in distress, with one image showing him with a gun pointed at his head.
The dispute stemmed from a disagreement over cryptocurrency, with Woeltz allegedly attempting to extort millions of dollars from the victim through heinous acts of violence. The victim, upon breaking free from his captor, sought help from a police officer and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
Woeltz was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and possession of a weapon. Another individual, Beatrice Folchi, 24, was also arrested and charged with kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. Two other individuals believed to be associated with Woeltz were being questioned by the police.
The victim’s ordeal began when he arrived in New York City from Italy and met Woeltz, who proceeded to detain him, confiscate his passport, and subject him to days of torture. The victim’s suffering was documented through Polaroid photos, likely intended for use in extortion attempts against him or his family in Italy.
Evidence of the torture was found at the scene, including broken glass, night vision goggles, a bulletproof vest, and a gun. The victim had sustained injuries, including a wound believed to be from a chainsaw, and was fitted with an Apple AirTag to prevent escape.
The victim managed to escape on the belief that he would be killed that day. Witnesses in the vicinity described the arrest of Woeltz, noting the unusual and shocking nature of the incident. The NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit conducted a thorough search of the premises to ensure there were no other victims of torture.
The shocking events that unfolded in the quiet neighborhood of SoHo serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that can accompany the world of cryptocurrency investments. Woeltz remains in custody as the investigation into this disturbing case continues.
