Crypto Entrepreneurs Accused of Kidnapping and Torture with Criminal Plans Revealed

Two individuals, identified as John Woeltz and William Duplessie, faced serious allegations after authorities discovered their detailed plans to steal cryptocurrency from foreigners. Their purported manifesto, found during a police search of Woeltz’s Kentucky residence, outlined strategies to target criminals funding terrorism and expressed their belief that people should use their own digital coins.

During a court hearing, prosecutors described a shocking case involving the kidnapping and torture of an Italian crypto trader, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. The defendants allegedly subjected Carturan to physical abuse, including lighting him on fire and using a chainsaw, in an attempt to extract his Bitcoin password. Text messages exchanged between the accused indicated they referred to Carturan’s distress with inappropriate humor, notably giving him nicknames related to his physical attributes.

Defense attorneys attempted to portray the events as part of a “fraternity-like hazing” environment, claiming that Carturan willingly engaged in drug use, sex, and parties, and that police video footage supported the idea that he considered himself hazed rather than tortured. Prosecutors, however, dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Carturan described his experiences as torture, and highlighted evidence of threats and plans to dispose of bodies, including the use of a chainsaw and cattle prods.

In court, it was revealed that the accused referred to their victim as broken, sobbing, with “no more life in his eyes,” and discussed restraints and monitoring devices such as collars with attached AirTags. The prosecutors also mentioned that Woeltz and Duplessie had previously held two other victims against their will.

Both men pleaded not guilty to kidnapping charges. Bail was set at $1 million each, with the condition that payments cannot be made in cryptocurrency. The judge indicated that both suspects could be released into home confinement if they pay in traditional currency. Woeltz is seeking residence in New York, while Duplessie hopes to relocate to Florida.