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The New York City Police Department (NYPD) arrested William Duplessie, 33, on May 27th, in connection with the kidnapping and torture of Italian crypto investor Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. Duplessie’s surrender followed several days of negotiations with the NYPD. He will face charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment. This arrest adds to the ongoing investigation into the May 6th kidnapping in Manhattan.
Carturan, 28, was held captive for nearly three weeks in a luxury SoHo townhouse. His captors, including Duplessie and previously arrested John Woeltz, subjected him to brutal treatment. This included physical beatings, taser shocks, and the threat of firearm violence. They repeatedly attempted to force Carturan to reveal his cryptocurrency private keys. The ordeal also involved the theft of his passport and mobile phone.
Carturan’s escape and subsequent report to authorities led to the arrest of Woeltz, charged with kidnapping for ransom and other felonies. Woeltz remains in custody without bail, awaiting a further court hearing on May 28th. Both Duplessie and Woeltz reportedly had ties to a New York City-based cryptocurrency hedge fund.
This incident is part of a concerning trend. Recent months have seen a rise in kidnappings and extortion attempts targeting cryptocurrency investors and their families. Similar incidents include a failed kidnapping attempt against Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat’s family and the kidnapping of Ledger co-founder David Balland. These attacks highlight the vulnerabilities faced by individuals within the cryptocurrency industry, necessitating increased security measures. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these crimes and working to bring those responsible to justice. The ongoing investigation underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and proactive security strategies within the crypto community to mitigate future risks. The severity of these attacks emphasizes the potential dangers associated with the high-value nature of cryptocurrency holdings.
