A second suspect tied to an alleged scheme of kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist in Manhattan has been arrested. William Duplessie, 32, voluntarily surrendered to the police on Tuesday, following the recent arrest of his accomplice, John Woeltz, 37. The suspects are accused of holding their victim captive in a luxurious SoHo home, where he endured severe torture as they demanded access to his Bitcoin wallet.
The Italian national, who remains unnamed, reported that his abduction began shortly after arriving in New York on May 6. For 17 days, he was subjected to horrific conditions, including being dangled from a roof ledge and being threatened with a firearm as he was coerced into divulging his cryptocurrency password. Police reports reveal that the man also faced physical assaults with electrical shocks and a chainsaw during his captivity.
Duplessie's arrest marks a critical development in the investigation, which saw the victim manage to escape the townhouse after agreeing to provide login information for his Bitcoin. He reported his ordeal to authorities, leading to a raid where disturbing evidence, including photographs of his torture and various illegal substances, was uncovered.
The suspects had rented the SoHo residence for an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 per month. Investigators also arrested a woman connected to the case, yet no charges have been pressed against her as of now.
In parallel, law enforcement in France has responded to a wave of similar crimes targeting cryptocurrency investors, with over 20 arrests made following attempts to kidnap crypto entrepreneurs and their families. Criminal defense experts emphasize the growing tendency for such crimes, suggesting that the allure of easy access to digital currencies is becoming a prime motivation for kidnappings.
