A Kentucky-based cryptocurrency investor, John Woeltz, has been accused of a horrifying crime – kidnapping and torturing an Italian businessman in an attempt to extort his Bitcoin password. The chilling alleged two-week imprisonment took place in Soho, where Woeltz faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree unlawful imprisonment, second-degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The Manhattan Criminal Court judge has ruled to hold Woeltz without bail and has also ordered him to surrender his passport. The victim, a 28-year-old Italian businessman, managed to escape the house of horrors where he was held captive for two weeks and reported the abuse to law enforcement.
