In New York, a second individual is facing charges relating to the abduction and brutalization of an Italian man in an effort to seize his Bitcoin. The indictment for William Duplessie was handed down by a Manhattan grand jury, as announced by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. While details of the charges will remain undisclosed until his arraignment scheduled for June 11, it is known that Duplessie is confronting accusations of kidnapping, assault, unlawful confinement, and illegal possession of a weapon. His legal counsel has opted not to comment on the latest developments.
According to prosecutors, Duplessie along with another crypto investor, John Woeltz, orchestrated a plan to draw their victim to an upscale townhouse located in the Soho area of Manhattan on May 6. Reports suggest the duo threatened the safety of the man’s family as a means of coercion. The victim, a 28-year-old from Italy whose identity has not been disclosed by authorities, claims he was held hostage for more than two weeks. During this time, he endured extreme duress, including being subjected to electric shocks, being forced to smoke crack, and being suspended precariously above a five-story drop.
Under these harrowing conditions, the victim ultimately relinquished the password to his computer but later seized an opportunity to escape the townhouse as the alleged criminals were distracted retrieving the device. This daring escape marked the end of his nightmarish captivity.
William Duplessie’s day in court came following the grand jury’s decision, marked by a brief court appearance in Manhattan on the same day. During this session, a judge reaffirmed the existence of a protective order, without specifying the individuals it concerned. Clad in a prison jumpsuit and restrained in handcuffs, Duplessie remained silent during the proceedings, facing the courtroom with a stoic demeanor.
Meanwhile, Duplessie, known as an entrepreneur or investor in multiple blockchain enterprises, continues to be held in detention alongside John Woeltz. Their case has taken a broader turn with the involvement of the New York City police, who are conducting an investigation into the conduct of two detectives employed as security at the opulent Manhattan location where the crimes reportedly transpired. Though the detectives are currently on modified duties, the detectives’ union asserts there is no evidence implicating them in or proving awareness of the purported wrongful acts.