Two men accused of kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian cryptocurrency investor have pleaded not guilty to their charges while investigations expand to include the New York Police Department.
William Duplessie, 33, and John Woeltz, 37, were arrested for allegedly holding the victim hostage for more than two weeks in a luxurious SoHo townhouse. During this time, they reportedly tortured him in an effort to obtain access to his bitcoin holdings. The pair is accused of forcing the victim to take drugs, dangling him from a ledge, and using electrical shocks as coercive tactics to compel him to surrender his bitcoin private keys. Disturbing claims suggest they even made t-shirts depicting the victim with a crack pipe and took photographs of him with a gun pointed at his head.
The victim managed to escape last Friday, seizing his laptop before fleeing the townhouse and seeking help from a nearby traffic officer.
Duplessie faces five charges, including kidnapping and criminal possession of a loaded firearm, while Woeltz has been charged with kidnapping and assault, among others. Both have entered not guilty pleas.
Additionally, it has come to light that two NYPD officers, including a detective who is part of Mayor Eric Adams’ protection detail, were involved in off-duty work for the defendants. They have since been placed on modified duty as the investigation continues, but they are not suspected of participating in the kidnapping or torture.
A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed that the situation is under internal review, while a statement from the mayor’s office emphasized that city employees are expected to adhere to the law, both on and off duty.
For ongoing updates on this case, you can find further information here.
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