Michaela
Defendants John Woeltz and William Duplessie have entered not-guilty pleas to all charges related to the alleged crypto kidnapping and false imprisonment of cryptocurrency holder Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan during his visit to New York City.
According to a report by Reuters, Woeltz and Duplessie were denied bail by Justice Gregory Carro during their appearance in a Manhattan court, where they face charges that could lead to a life sentence upon conviction.
Woeltz and Duplessie’s legal team challenged the prosecution’s narrative of Carturan’s torture. Sam Talkin, representing Duplessie, asserted that the purported victim was “having the time of his life” and participated in a “sex orgy” at the SoHo townhouse.
During the hearing, Prosecutor Sarah Khan informed the court that both defendants and Carturan shared a common involvement in cryptocurrency investing and had maintained electronic communication over several years.
On May 6, Woeltz, Duplessie, and Carturan met in person, an encounter during which the defendants allegedly seized Carturan’s electronic devices and initiated a series of brutal assaults.
“They pistol whipped him with a gun, they cut him with a small chainsaw and they used various other instruments,” Khan stated. Khan additionally alleged that the defendants subjected Carturan to further abuse, reportedly extinguishing fires on his body, which had been set after he was doused with tequila, by urinating on him.
Approximately three weeks after the alleged kidnapping, Carturan was reportedly taken from the townhouse by Woeltz to access his phone for a cryptocurrency transfer. During this outing, Carturan allegedly managed to escape Woeltz, subsequently locating a uniformed police officer while appearing barefoot and bleeding.
“He was in severe distress,” Khan stated. Upon searching the townhouse, authorities reportedly discovered a chainsaw, a loaded pistol, and a photograph depicting Duplessie brandishing a firearm at the alleged victim.
This incident spotlights an escalating trend of cryptocurrency-related violent crimes and abductions observed in recent months. Notably, France has reported three such cases or attempts this year, including one involving Ledger co-founder David Balland, who reportedly sustained a severed finger during a ransom demand.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
