Swiss crypto bigwig surrenders to NYPD for questioning in sick SoHo torture case: sources
The Swiss crypto trader, who was wanted for questioning in the brutal torture of an Italian bitcoin dealer in a luxurious SoHo townhouse, surrendered to the police on Tuesday. This came after the Italian victim, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, managed to escape from his captors and alert authorities.
The Euro executive, whose identity has not been disclosed by The Post as he has not been formally charged, turned himself in early in the morning. This development came after the arrest of Kentucky crypto magnate John Woeltz, who was accused of subjecting Carturan to torture for over a week in an attempt to extract his bitcoin password.
Woeltz’s assistant, Beatrice Folchi, was also taken into custody but was released by the Manhattan DA’s office pending further investigation. The Swiss national who surrendered on Tuesday was the final suspect being sought in connection with the crime.
Woeltz, a wealthy crypto trader with assets exceeding $100 million, allegedly orchestrated the horrific ordeal, which involved physically assaulting Carturan, using a chainsaw to inflict wounds, and degrading him by urinating on him during his captivity.
After his rescue, Carturan was hospitalized at Bellevue Hospital for medical treatment. Woeltz was formally charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and possession of weapons. He is currently being held without bail at Rikers Island.
The exact involvement of the Swiss trader in the crimes has not been disclosed by the authorities. The investigation into this disturbing case is ongoing, with law enforcement officials working diligently to uncover the full extent of the atrocities committed against the Italian bitcoin dealer.
