A 37-year-old cryptocurrency investor, John Woeltz, was arraigned in New York Criminal Court on Saturday, charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and other offenses after allegedly holding an Italian tourist captive in a Manhattan home.
According to police, Woeltz and a 24-year-old woman, Beatrice Folchi, were arrested following the victim’s escape from a SoHo residence where he was reportedly tortured and bound for weeks.
The 28-year-old victim, who traveled from Italy on May 6, told police that Woeltz confiscated his passport and detained him. Police found Polaroid photos showing the victim tied up, alongside firearms in the luxury townhome. A criminal complaint states the victim was beaten and hanged off a ledge after refusing to provide his bitcoin password.
The victim was hospitalized and is in stable condition. Woeltz, originally from Kentucky, reportedly rented the SoHo property for $30,000 to $40,000 per month. Authorities continue their investigation.
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