Crypto king accused of torturing Bitcoin millionaire known for…

May 28, 2025

The crypto king accused of torturing an Italian Bitcoin millionaire in a posh New York City townhouse was known for dropping $100,000 in a single night partying it up at an exclusive erotic nightclub.

John Woeltz, 37, and his alleged accomplice, William Duplessie, 33, started frequenting The Box — a notorious Lower East Side hotspot — back in February, sources told TMZ.

The pair, who were spotted there multiple nights in a row, would spend up big — dropping anywhere between $80,000 to $100,000 each time, according to the sources.

William Duplessie walking out of the NYPD 13th pct in cuffs. William Farrington
John Woeltz, a cryptocurrency investor from Kentucky is suspected of torturing an Italian tourist with a chainsaw in a sadistic, weeks-long extortion attempt to gain the password for his accounts Michael Nagle

On at least one occasion, Duplessie was photographed partying shirtless at the nightclub with a woman perched up on his shoulders.

The duo would often invite girls from The Box back to a swanky SoHo pad for afterparties, the sources said.

The residence being investigated by the NYPD. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post

The wild details emerged after Woeltz and Duplessie were nabbed for allegedly kidnapping and torturing wealthy trader Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan at a ritzy townhouse on Prince Street.

Carturan, who is reportedly worth $30 million, was allegedly lured to the SoHo pad and held captive while his tormentors tortured him for his Bitcoin password.

Suspect John Woeltz is taken by Police from Manhattan’s 5th Precinct to Manhattan Central Booking. David Burns

The sick saga only came to light after the Italian national managed to escape, bloodied and barefoot, last Friday when his captors were distracted, cops said.

He alleged he’d been severely beaten, drugged, shocked with electrical wires and threatened with death for nearly three weeks.

Video exclusively obtained by WNBC appears to show a first look at the Italian businessman and alleged kidnapping victim who was held captive for weeks by crypto millionaire John Woeltz in a scheme to steal his Bitcoin WNBC

Shortly after his escape, Woeltz was taken into custody and charged in the alleged kidnapping scheme.

Duplessie, meanwhile, surrendered to police on Tuesday after sources said he enjoyed a posh Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons.

William Duplessie walking out of the NYPD 13th pct in cuffs.
William Duplessie walking out of the NYPD 13th pct in cuffs. William Farrington
John Woeltz, a cryptocurrency investor from Kentucky is suspected of torturing an Italian tourist with a chainsaw in a sadistic, weeks-long extortion attempt to gain the password for his accounts
John Woeltz, a cryptocurrency investor from Kentucky is suspected of torturing an Italian tourist with a chainsaw in a sadistic, weeks-long extortion attempt to gain the password for his accounts Michael Nagle
NYPD's Crime Scene Unit and police officers investigating a luxury apartment at 38 Prince Street in SoHo, New York, where alleged kidnapping and torture took place.
The residence being investigated by the NYPD. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post
Suspect John Woeltz is taken by Police from Manhattan's 5th Precinct to Manhattan Central Booking.
Suspect John Woeltz is taken by Police from Manhattan’s 5th Precinct to Manhattan Central Booking. David Burns
Italian businessman, alleged kidnapping victim of crypto millionaire John Woeltz, escaping and flagging an officer for help.
Video exclusively obtained by WNBC appears to show a first look at the Italian businessman and alleged kidnapping victim who was held captive for weeks by crypto millionaire John Woeltz in a scheme to steal his Bitcoin WNBC

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