NYC Crypto Bros Charged in Kidnapping, Torture Case—And It Gets Worse
Wait, What Happened?
Okay, so picture this: two guys who probably called themselves “crypto geniuses” on their Twitter bios are now facing kidnapping charges. And not just any kidnapping—we’re talking full-on horror movie stuff. John Woeltz (37) and William Duplessie (33) pleaded not guilty in court this week, but here’s the kicker—prosecutors dropped a bombshell. Turns out, there were two more victims locked up in their Soho apartment. Yeah, that’s right. What started as a Bitcoin extortion case just turned into something way darker.
The Soho Apartment: Less “Luxury Loft,” More “Torture Chamber”
How It All Started
So according to court papers, these guys allegedly kidnapped some Italian millionaire—classic crypto bro target, right?—and basically tortured him until he gave up his Bitcoin passwords. And when I say torture, I mean the real deal: threats, restraints, the whole nine yards. For days. Honestly, it’s the kind of thing you’d expect from a crime show, not real life.
But Wait, There’s More
Just when you think it can’t get worse, prosecutors dropped another bomb. Two more people were held in that same apartment. Cops described the place as straight out of a nightmare—filthy, chaotic, with signs of coercion everywhere. One officer even called it a “horror movie set.” And honestly? That might be underselling it.
Meet the “Crypto Bros” (If You Can Call Them That)
John Woeltz: The “Blockchain Entrepreneur”
This guy’s LinkedIn—before it got nuked—was all about “disrupting finance with crypto.” Real visionary stuff. Except, you know, prosecutors say he was really just using his crypto know-how to hunt down rich victims. Not exactly the kind of disruption we need.
William Duplessie: The “Charismatic” Partner
Neighbors said Duplessie was the “fun” one—always throwing late-night parties in that same apartment where, you know, people were being held against their will. Charismatic? Sure. Also, allegedly a kidnapper. So there’s that.
Their Crypto World Connections
Both were deep in the New York crypto scene—meetups, sketchy investment pitches, the usual. Cops think that’s how they found their targets. Scary thought, right? The same guy who’s handing you a drink at a crypto mixer might be sizing up your Bitcoin wallet.
What’s Next for These Two?
Right now, they’re looking at kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment—the whole list. Life sentences if convicted. And the judge wasn’t buying their “not guilty” act either. Denied bail, called them flight risks. Can’t say I’m surprised.
The Really Disturbing Details (You’ve Been Warned)
Parties as a Cover?
Court files mention these wild parties at their place—music blasting, people screaming. And get this: witnesses just thought it was part of the “scene.” Like, oh, someone’s yelling? Must be a kink thing. Nope. Turns out it might’ve been actual torture happening in the next room.
The Torture Playbook
Prosecutors laid out the methods—sleep deprivation, weapon threats, even simulated drownings. And here’s the chilling part: one investigator said, “They wanted Bitcoin, but they seemed to enjoy the power.” That’s the thing that really gets me. It wasn’t just about money.
How People Are Reacting
Twitter’s losing it with #CryptoBros jokes (too soon?), and Reddit’s dissecting every detail. It’s got people comparing it to the “Cryptoqueen” scam from 2019. Which, fair—both show how crypto’s anonymity can attract the worst kind of people.
The Bigger Problem: Crypto Crime Is Exploding
According to CipherTrace, crypto crimes shot up 312% last year. And kidnappings for private keys? Yeah, that’s a trend now. Cybersecurity expert Lisa Cameron put it best: “This isn’t just about bad people. It’s about a system that rewards secrecy.” And she’s right. If your money’s invisible, so are the crimes.
So What Now?
While these two wait for trial, the rest of us are left with a nasty reality check. Crypto’s supposed to be about freedom, but in the wrong hands? It’s a tool for monsters. Protect your wallet, sure—but maybe don’t forget there are real people behind those Bitcoin addresses.
If You Want to Learn More
- FBI’s Guide to Not Getting Kidnapped for Your Crypto
- NYPD’s Tip Line (Because Apparently We Need This Now)
Source: NY Post – US News
