NY Court Sets $1M Bail for Bitcoin Torture Suspects

Judge Gregory Carro granted bail to John Woeltz, 37, and William Duplessie, 32, both U.S. residents and crypto investors charged in the torture of a 28-year-old Italian man. Each suspect must post a $1 million bond and adhere to GPS monitoring and travel restrictions within New York City limits.

The defendants face charges of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and assault for allegedly holding the victim captive in a SoHo townhouse in May 2025. Prosecutors say they subjected the man to electrical shocks, pistol-whipping, cuts from a chainsaw blade and threats with fire over roughly two weeks to seize control of his cryptocurrency holdings.

Court documents reveal the suspects photographed their victim during the ordeal. Prosecutors indicated two additional potential victims in separate crypto-related abductions may be connected to the case.

Duplessie’s attorney argued that video evidence shows the alleged victim smiling during parts of his confinement, challenging the prosecution’s claims of non-consensual violence. Prosecutors countered that victims under duress may exhibit compliance or apparent calm while being abused.

The torture allegedly occurred over two weeks as the suspects attempted to extract the victim’s Bitcoin password and private keys. Police arrested Woeltz and Duplessie in June following a tip from a witness who reported suspicious activity at the SoHo property.

Both suspects remain in custody pending completion of bail arrangements. They must surrender their passports and are prohibited from contacting the victim or witnesses. The defendants are scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing in August 2025.

The victim was hospitalized following his rescue and has since recovered from his physical injuries. Prosecutors have not disclosed the value of cryptocurrency holdings targeted in the alleged scheme or whether any digital assets were successfully transferred.

The case represents one of the most violent alleged crypto-related crimes prosecuted in New York courts.