Kentucky Man Arrested for Kidnapping and Torture of Italian Tourist
A Kentucky resident, 37-year-old John Woeltz, was apprehended in Lower Manhattan over the weekend, facing serious allegations of kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist. Authorities report that Woeltz, along with an accomplice, held the victim captive for a harrowing three weeks, during which he was restrained, subjected to electrocution while his feet were submerged in water, and threatened with a chainsaw. Investigators believe the motive behind this violent ordeal was to gain access to the victim’s cryptocurrency account.
Victim’s Ordeal and Escape
Woeltz, who has a background in cryptocurrency investment, allegedly manipulated the victim into thinking that his family was in peril unless he disclosed his Bitcoin password. Disturbingly, numerous Polaroid photographs documenting the abuse were reportedly discovered during the investigation. The victim eventually found a way to escape, managing to flag down a traffic officer for assistance.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest, Woeltz was arraigned on Saturday, facing multiple charges including kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm, as indicated by court documents. Specific details regarding Woeltz’s origins in Kentucky have not been disclosed. A spokesperson from the Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed that he has been remanded without bail. Woeltz’s attorney, Wayne Gosnell, declined to comment on the matter.
Background of the Victim
The victim, a 28-year-old man who traveled to New York City from Italy in early May, was reportedly abducted on May 6. Although the exact nature of the relationship between the victim and Woeltz remains unclear, prosecutor Michael Mattson mentioned in court that there were additional individuals involved in the plot to access the victim’s Bitcoin wallet, including an unnamed individual referred to as an “unapprehended male.”
Details of the Torture
Prosecutors revealed that the victim endured severe torture, being bound and subjected to various forms of abuse inside an apartment. The captors allegedly drugged him, electrocuted him with wires, and struck him with a firearm. At one point, they even dangled him over a flight of stairs, threatening to kill him if he did not reveal his Bitcoin password. Fearing for his life, the victim agreed to provide the password, which was stored on his laptop in another room. Seizing the opportunity when one of his captors turned away, he escaped from the apartment.
Evidence Collected
After the victim’s escape, law enforcement conducted a search of the townhouse, uncovering a significant amount of evidence including cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor, night vision goggles, ammunition, and chilling Polaroid photos depicting the victim with a gun held to his head. Woeltz was instructed to surrender his passport, as prosecutors noted he possesses the resources to flee the jurisdiction, including access to a private jet and a helicopter.
Additional Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
In a related development, the NYPD announced the arrest of a second suspect, 24-year-old Beatrice Folchi from Manhattan, who faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree unlawful imprisonment. Details regarding her connection to Woeltz and her involvement in the alleged crimes have not been disclosed. This story is still unfolding, with further updates anticipated as the investigation progresses.
