Crypto Investor John Woeltz Arrested for Allegedly Torturing Italian Businessman in NYC Luxury Apartment
John Woeltz, a 37-year-old cryptocurrency investor from Kentucky, has been arrested in New York City for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian businessman over a period exceeding two weeks. The victim, who had previously engaged in business dealings with Woeltz, arrived in New York on May 6 and was reportedly held captive in a luxury SoHo apartment rented by Woeltz for $30,000 to $40,000 per month. During his captivity, the victim was subjected to severe abuse, including electrocution, beatings, forced drug use, and threats involving an electric chainsaw, all purportedly in an attempt to extract his cryptocurrency account passwords.
The victim managed to escape on May 23, seeking assistance from a traffic enforcement officer. Police responding to the scene discovered Polaroid photographs documenting the torture, as well as various weapons and torture devices in the apartment. Woeltz has been charged with multiple offenses, including kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and illegal firearm possession.
Local residents expressed shock and disbelief upon learning of the events. Some had noticed unusual activities but never suspected such violent criminal behavior. One photographer who witnessed Woeltz’s arrest described it as “the strangest thing” he had seen in the area.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, including interviews with individuals associated with Woeltz.
