A cryptocurrency investor from Manhattan is facing serious charges, accused of kidnapping and torturing an Italian man in an attempt to force him to hand over access to digital assets.
37-year-old John Walts is accused of unlawfully detaining a 28-year-old Italian man in a luxury apartment in Soho for several weeks. The apartment rents for up to $30,000 per month.
According to police reports, the victim arrived in the United States on May 6, and was subsequently kidnapped by Walts and his accomplices. The attackers stole his passport and electronic devices, and demanded the password to his Bitcoin wallet. When the victim refused, he was subjected to physical abuse.
The victim claims he was beaten, electrocuted, and even suspended from a five-story building. He was also forced to use drugs and was cut on the leg with a saw. He later escaped and called the police, leading to Walts's arrest.
Walts faces four felony charges, including kidnapping and extortion. The judge has ordered him to be held without bail. Another 24-year-old woman has also been detained, but has not been charged.
Due to a surge in kidnapping and extortion cases, an increasing number of individuals in the cryptocurrency industry are seeking personal security services, especially in France. Recently, a company in Amsterdam reported a rise in demand for bodyguards from high-profile individuals. French authorities have also strengthened protective measures for cryptocurrency entrepreneurs.
