Second Arrest in Disturbing Crypto Kidnapping Case in Manhattan

William Duplessie, 32, turned himself in to authorities following the arrest of his accomplice, John Woeltz. The pair is accused of torturing a tourist in a high-end Manhattan apartment to extract his Bitcoin wallet password. The victim managed to escape after being held for nearly three weeks, leading to a police investigation revealing shocking details about the abuse faced during his captivity.

A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist at a luxury Manhattan residence, in a bizarre plot aimed at stealing cryptocurrency. William Duplessie, 32, surrendered to police on Tuesday after his accomplice, John Woeltz, 37, was arrested the previous week.

According to the victim, who has not been publicly named, he endured a horror-filled three weeks at the hands of his captors in an upscale SoHo apartment. The attackers allegedly subjected him to brutal treatment, including being dangled from a rooftop ledge, electrically shocked, and assaulted with a chainsaw as they demanded access to his Bitcoin wallet.

Both Duplessie and Woeltz face serious charges, including kidnapping with intent to collect ransom, unlawful imprisonment, and assault. The victim's harrowing ordeal began when he arrived in New York on May 6, where he claimed Woeltz confiscated his passport and trapped him in the home for weeks. He finally found a way to escape last Friday and contacted the police, who subsequently rescued him and took him for medical treatment.

During their investigation, authorities searched the luxury apartment, uncovering disturbing Polaroid images of the victim tied up, firearms, and drugs. Woeltz, a cryptocurrency investor reportedly renting the property for $30,000 to $40,000 per month, was apprehended last week, leaving police on the hunt for more details surrounding the plot.

As investigations unfold in New York, law enforcement in France has also been dealing with a wave of kidnappings targeting crypto entrepreneurs. Recent arrests linked to plots in Nantes and Paris illustrate a broader trend in the ongoing crisis of cryptocurrency-related crime.