A third suspect has been apprehended in connection with a shocking crypto-related kidnapping and torture case that recently unfolded in New York City. The individual, 33-year-old William Duplessie, voluntarily surrendered to the NYPD on May 27, following negotiations with law enforcement. He now faces charges including kidnapping and false imprisonment related to the ordeal of an Italian tourist who was held captive and tortured in an attempt to extort cryptocurrency.
This case is one of several alarming incidents in recent months, part of a disturbing trend of “wrench attacks” and violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency investors and industry insiders. These attacks often involve physical intimidation or coercion, aiming to force victims into handing over their crypto assets or private keys.
The victim at the center of this case, Michael Valentino Teofrasto, a 28-year-old tourist from Italy, endured harrowing treatment while held captive in Manhattan. According to reports, Teofrasto was abducted and confined in a luxury townhome in SoHo. During his captivity, he was subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and electric shocks with a Taser. The kidnappers reportedly used a firearm to strike him repeatedly and employed cruel methods such as dunking his feet in water while administering electric shocks to pressure him into revealing his crypto private keys.
Despite the severity of the situation, Teofrasto managed to escape from his captors and sought help from a nearby police officer, recounting the details of his kidnapping. His brave escape prompted the NYPD to launch an investigation that swiftly led to arrests.
Among those previously arrested in connection with the case is John Woeltz, a crypto investor with ties to a New York City-based crypto hedge fund. Woeltz was charged with kidnapping for ransom alongside multiple felony counts and remains in custody without bail pending a court hearing scheduled for May 28.
The involvement of individuals linked to a local crypto hedge fund highlights the complex and sometimes dangerous intersections between digital asset markets and real-world crime. Law enforcement officials are taking the rise in crypto-related violence seriously, stepping up security protocols to protect investors and professionals in the space.
This latest arrest underscores the increasing need for vigilance within the crypto community as these types of violent extortion schemes become more prevalent. Authorities across various jurisdictions have also been cracking down on similar crimes; for instance, recent reports indicate that French police detained more than a dozen suspects involved in crypto kidnapping rings.
As the industry continues to grow and attract wealth, it unfortunately also becomes a target for criminals who see cryptocurrency holders as lucrative victims. Experts emphasize the importance of enhanced security measures, including private protection, secure storage solutions for digital assets, and awareness of potential physical threats.
In summary, the surrender and arrest of William Duplessie mark another step forward in dismantling the criminal network behind this brutal attack on a crypto investor. It serves as a grim reminder that as the crypto market expands, so too does the potential for violent crime — making safety and security paramount concerns for anyone involved in the digital asset world.
