John Woeltz, a 37-year-old man living in Manhattan, has been arrested and charged after abducting an Italian visitor to get access to his cryptocurrencies, according to a May 24 report by The New York Times.
The victim, a 28-year-old man, had arrived in the US on May 6. He was reportedly taken by Woeltz and another person and held inside a rented townhouse in Soho.
The building, which costs about $30,000 a month, became the site of what police describe as weeks of physical abuse. Officers said the man’s passport and electronics were taken, and Woeltz demanded the password to his Bitcoin
$109,165.76
wallet. When the man refused, he was allegedly attacked and threatened repeatedly.
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The victim told police he was punched, shocked with electricity, hit with a gun, and hung from one of the upper floors of the townhouse. He also claimed that Woeltz tortured and forced him to smoke crack cocaine. The man said threats were also made against his family.
Photos found in the home, including Polaroids, appear to show signs of ongoing abuse and may support the victim’s statements. The man eventually managed to escape on May 23 and contact the police.
Woeltz was charged with four felonies, including kidnapping for ransom. At a court hearing, he pleaded not guilty. The judge ordered that he remain in jail without bail, while his next court date is set for May 28.
On May 15, US authorities announced charges against 12 individuals between the ages of 18 and 21. What happened? Read the full story.
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.
