In a dramatic twist to an already gripping saga, authorities in New York have apprehended a third suspect, 33 year old William Duplessie, who has turned himself in to the NYPD in connection with the terrible abduction and torture of Italian crypto investor Michel Valentino Teofrast Carturan in Manhattan’s SoHo district.
From Torture to Trial: The Shocking SoHo Bitcoin Case Unfolds
Carturan, a 28 year old crypto investor from Turin, was allegedly held captive for 17 to 21 days in a five-story SoHo townhouse, where he was brutally tortured with electric shocks, pistol-whipped, slashed with a chainsaw, and threatened at gunpoint to hand his bitcoin passwords over. Although Cartun was brutally injured, he managed to escape by tricking his captors into retrieving his laptop, then left on foot, barefoot and bloody, until he was able to find a traffic officer on the streets of New York.
Authorities later arrested two suspects: William Duplessie and John Woeltz, a fellow crypto investor. Both suspects pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges, including assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, and weapons possession. During a search of the property, prosecutors uncovered images of the victim and several weapons, including a chainsaw and a loaded firearm. Defense lawyers fought back, presenting photos showing Carturan smiling and socializing during his supposed captivity, which now questions what Carturan’s stay really entailed. This concern is echoed in discussions about Bitcoin as a matter of national security, highlighting the broader implications for global stability.
A Broader Crypto Crime Trend
The incident has brought up discussion about the security risk tied to cryptocurrency ownership, especially since digital assets are becoming more mainstream. As news of the case spread, it brought new scrutiny from investors, security professionals, and regulators alike. Industry experts are urging crypto holders to use stronger privacy and physical safety measures. It’s a topic also explored in Kevin O’Leary’s insights on crypto becoming the 12th sector of the economy, where he speaks about the need for institutional protections and new frameworks to help the growing scale and seriousness of digital asset investing.
What Comes Next
All current suspects are being held in prison without bail ordered by Judge Gregory Carro, with a preliminary hearing set up for July 15. Meanwhile, the new attractive target profile of crypto holders is causing increased concern and scrutiny. Security firms and law enforcement are warning wealthy crypto investors to consider personal safety measures as part of their risk strategy.
A Personal Take from an Investor’s Perspective
As someone who is actively involved in crypto investing, this case really hits me hard. The idea that someone could be targeted, tortured, and robbed only because they hold digital assets is crazy to think about, and it underscores how the real risk can be far more than just charts and wallets. Although I still strongly believe in the future of crypto and the ability it has to reshape global finance, incidents like this remind me that security is not always about strong passwords or cold wallet storage. You also have to be mindful about what you share, who you trust, and how you navigate both the digital and real world. This is definitely a wake-up call for me and everyone participating in the crypto space.
Source
This article is based on:
‘Crypto King’ Tortured Italian Tourist for 3 Weeks in NYC Townhouse in Bonkers Bitcoin Heist
Photos show accuser in NYC crypto kidnapping leaving house freely, defense lawyers say
Further Reading
Deepen your understanding with these related articles:
- U.S. Congress Braces for Intense Debate Over Crypto Legislation This Summer (openai)
- US crypto groups urge SEC for clarity on staking
- Coinbase Leaps Into Supreme Court Case in Defense of User Data Going to IRS
Nicholas Newman is a 19-year-old based in Westchester, NY. He began his college journey at Iona University in New Rochelle and is now a student at Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business in the Bronx NY, majoring in Accounting and Finance. Nicholas has been actively involved in the crypto space since 2020, both on the investment side and in development, and continues to explore opportunities at the intersection of finance, technology, and digital assets.
