Crypto Investor: Kidnapping & Torture Arrest
- John Woeltz, 37, a crypto investor from Kentucky, was arrested in New York City this week on charges of kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian tourist.The arrest followed...
- the tourist, whose name has not been released, sought help from a traffic agent near Mulberry Street and prince Street.
- The alleged ordeal began May 6 after the tourist arrived in New York and met Woeltz at his apartment.
Breaking news: Kentucky crypto investor John Woeltz, 37, has been arrested in New York City. He faces serious charges of kidnapping and torture after a harrowing two-week ordeal involving an Italian tourist. The victim escaped from Woeltz’s Nolita apartment and immediately alerted authorities, leading to the arrest and a disturbing discovery of evidence. Police reports detail a brutal situation, including disturbing photos and accounts related to a cryptocurrency dispute. Woeltz is held without bail, and a second suspect is at large. For a deeper understanding, a newsroom like News Directory 3 is at hand. Discover what’s next as the investigation unfolds and more details surface.
Kentucky Crypto Investor Arrested for Kidnapping, Torture in NYC
Updated May 26, 2025
John Woeltz, 37, a crypto investor from Kentucky, was arrested in New York City this week on charges of kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian tourist.The arrest followed the victim’s escape from Woeltz’s apartment in Nolita, where he had allegedly been held captive for two weeks.
the tourist, whose name has not been released, sought help from a traffic agent near Mulberry Street and prince Street. He told the agent he had been held against his will in Woeltz’s apartment. The agent then contacted police,who took Woeltz into custody.
The alleged ordeal began May 6 after the tourist arrived in New York and met Woeltz at his apartment. authorities say Woeltz confiscated the man’s passport and cellphone. Along with another unidentified man, Woeltz allegedly demanded the password to the tourist’s crypto wallet. When the victim refused, he was allegedly subjected to torture.
Woeltz was arraigned Saturday and faces charges of assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm.He is being held without bail.
A 24-year-old woman, Beatrice Folchi, was also arrested but later told the New York Post she had not been detained. Police are also seeking another male suspect believed to be involved in the alleged torture.
According to police, Polaroids found in the apartment depicted the victim bound and tortured, including one image where a gun was pointed at his head.A firearm was also recovered from the residence.
As being taken captive, the tourist had been bound with an electric cord, Tased while his feet were put in water, pistol whipped, forced to take cocaine and threatened to have his limbs cut off with an electric chainsaw, the sources said. The nightmare erupted from a dispute over cryptocurrency, in which the suspect allegedly tried to extort millions of dollars from the man by unleashing a litany of horrific tortures, according to sources.
what’s next
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are continuing to gather evidence and seek additional suspects in the case. Woeltz remains in custody awaiting further court proceedings.