US Edition
Crypto Investor Arrested for Alleged Kidnapping and Torture of Italian Tourist in Soho Apartment
- A 28-year-old Italian tourist escaped captivity and torture on May 23, 2025, from a rented Nolita apartment in Manhattan.
- The victim met 37-year-old John Woeltz, a Kentucky-based cryptocurrency trader renting the apartment, on May 6, and was held after Woeltz took his passport.
- After escaping around 10 a.m. Friday, the tourist approached a traffic officer, informing them of the situation, which led to police arriving at 28 Prince Street and arresting Woeltz.
- Authorities discovered numerous Polaroid photos depicting the victim restrained, alongside various instruments of torture and a firearm, inside the apartment Woeltz rented for $30,000 to $40,000 per month. He has been formally charged with second-degree assault on two occasions and with holding the victim against their will.
- The victim is hospitalized with trauma consistent with beatings while detectives interview two butlers from the residence in an ongoing investigation that includes seeking a second suspect.
48 Articles
48 Articles
Italian man tortured, held captive for 3 weeks over cryptocurrency: NYPD
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- A 28-year-old Italian man was held captive for three weeks in a Manhattan apartment over access to his multi-million-dollar cryptocurrency wallet. The victim managed to escape from the Prince Street apartment early Thursday, after alerting an on-duty NYPD Traffic Agent, who called police. According to police sources, all of the parties are involved in the crypto trading world. The man was taken captive after arriving at the a…
Soho crypto kidnapping: Suspect set to be arraigned for allegedly torturing Italian man in apartment for weeks
The prime suspect in a Soho kidnapping who allegedly held an Italian man captive and tortured him for weeks inside the suspect's apartment is due to be
Crypto investor accused of sadistically torturing biz partner in NYC luxury townhouse
A cryptocurrency investor has been charged after he allegedly kidnapped an Italian former business partner and tortured him for two weeks -- using a taser, chainsaw and other twisted methods -- inside a plush New York City townhouse as part of a sadistic plot to steal passwords, according to police and reports. John Woeltz, 37, was seen cuffed wearing a robe and barefooted outside his pad in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan on Friday morning, …
Crypto Investor Allegedly Tortured Tourist With a Chainsaw To Steal His Password
A Kentucky-based cryptocurrency investor has been accused of torturing an Italian tourist in a high-end New York City apartment. What Happened: The accused, 37-year-old John Woeltz, was taken into custody after the 28-year-old victim managed to escape from the SoHo apartment on Friday morning and informed a police officer. The victim alleged that he had been held captive for more than two weeks. The alleged motive behind this horrifying act was …
Cryptocurrency Investor Arrested After Allegedly Torturing Man For Weeks
A cryptocurrency investor has been arrested and charged in New York City after he allegedly tortured a man for weeks -- with reports claiming he was trying to obtain passwords related to cryptocurrency. John Woeltz -- a 37-year-old Kentucky man --…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
