NEW YORK (AP) — A cryptocurrency investor has been taken into custody and accused of kidnapping a man and confining him for several weeks in a luxury Manhattan apartment. The victim was reportedly subjected to physical abuse, electric shocks, and coerced into revealing his Bitcoin password by threats against his family.
John Woeltz, 37, was apprehended on Friday night after the victim managed to escape from the large townhouse and seek help from a passing traffic officer, as per prosecutors.
Woeltz appeared in court on Saturday facing charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and possession of a firearm. He was remanded without bail, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
According to a law enforcement source, the 28-year-old victim had arrived in New York City from Italy in early May. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, mentioned that the victim was abducted on May 6.
The victim described being bound, tortured, and threatened by Woeltz and others involved in the scheme to access his Bitcoin wallet. The ordeal included drugging, electric shocks, physical assault, and a harrowing moment where he was held over a ledge while being coerced for his password.
Fortunately, the victim managed to escape on Friday by deceiving Woeltz into believing he would disclose his password, allowing him to flee the apartment and seek help.
Following the victim’s escape, a search of the townhouse revealed incriminating evidence, including drugs, weapons, and photos depicting the victim in distress.
Woeltz was instructed to surrender his passport and is due to appear in court again next week. Prosecutors expressed concerns about his potential flight risk, noting his access to private transportation.
