A Crypto Investor Is Charged With Kidnapping And Torturing A Man In An NYC Apartment For Weeks
CRYPTOCURRENCY INVESTOR CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING
A cryptocurrency investor has been arrested and charged with kidnapping a man and keeping him locked up for weeks in an upscale Manhattan apartment. The victim was beaten, shocked, and led to believe that his family was in danger if he didn’t give up his Bitcoin password.
John Woeltz, 37, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm. He was ordered held without bail.
The victim, a 28-year-old man from Italy, was abducted on May 6 and was tortured for weeks inside the apartment. He managed to escape and seek help from a traffic officer.
Authorities found evidence in the townhouse, including drugs, weapons, and photos of the victim being threatened with a gun.
Woeltz has been ordered to surrender his passport and is due back in court next week.
Reported by Yamat from Las Vegas. Contributions by Associated Press writers Susan Haigh and Becky Bohrer.
