A Manhattan grand jury has formally indicted William Duplessie, 32, one of two men accused in the weeks-long kidnapping and torture of an Italian cryptocurrency investor. Duplessie faces charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and weapons possession in connection with a plot to extort Bitcoin from the unnamed victim.
Duplessie, along with John Woeltz, 37, allegedly lured the 28-year-old Italian businessman to a Soho townhouse on May 6 by threatening his family. Authorities allege the victim was held captive for 17 days and subjected to brutal torture, including electric shocks, physical beatings, and threats with a firearm. Reports indicate the victim was also forced to smoke cocaine from a crack pipe and, at one point, dangled from a five-story staircase.
The victim’s ordeal ended on May 23. After allegedly being pistol-whipped, he feigned agreement to surrender his password. While his captors retrieved a laptop, the victim managed to escape, rushing downstairs and fleeing to the street, where he sought help from a traffic enforcement officer.
Following the escape, police searching the townhouse reportedly discovered a saw, cocaine, chicken wire, body armor, night-vision goggles, ballistic helmets, and ammunition. Polaroid photos of the victim with a gun to his head and shirts showing him with a cocaine pipe were also found.
Duplessie surrendered to Manhattan police last Tuesday and was denied a $1 million bail request due to the severity of the charges. Woeltz was formally charged last week and denied bail after requesting release on a $2 million bond. His attorney cited his client’s lack of criminal record, philosophy degree, and professional accomplishments in arguing for his release.
A third individual, Beatrice Folchi, was also arrested and charged with first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment but has since been released pending further investigation.
Indictments for Duplessie and Woeltz are expected to remain sealed until their arraignment on June 11.
