New Arrest in SoHo Bitcoin Torture Case: Business Partner of Crypto Investor John Woeltz Surrenders
Just days after the shocking arrest of crypto investor John Woeltz on bitcoin, a second man tied to the grisly SoHo torture case has turned himself in. William Duplessie, 33, arrived at the NYPD’s 13th Precinct in Manhattan on Tuesday, now facing the same chilling charges of kidnapping and torture.
Authorities allege that Duplessie, believed to be Woeltz’s business associate, helped hold an Italian man hostage inside a rented $40,000-a-month townhouse for over two weeks. Prosecutors say the victim was beaten, electroshocked, forced to smoke crack, cut with a saw, and threatened at gunpoint — all to extract a Bitcoin password.
New evidence presented in court includes photographs of the victim being tortured and disturbing paraphernalia found in the home: body armor, night vision gear, drugs, and ammo. The victim eventually escaped by lying about where his crypto wallet password was stored.
While Woeltz skipped his scheduled court appearances, Duplessie’s lawyer tried to argue for house arrest in Florida on a $1 million bond. The judge refused, citing flight risks — including Woeltz’s alleged access to a private jet and helicopter.
Both men remain in custody, facing serious prison time in what’s being called one of the most bizarre crypto crimes in recent memory.
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