A disturbing case involving allegations of kidnapping and cryptocurrency theft has unraveled in New York, where two individuals are accused of detaining a man in an attempt to steal his Bitcoin. However, lawyers defending the accused claim that video and photographic evidence contradicts the accuser’s story.
At their court appearance, William Duplessie, 32, and John Woeltz, 37, denied all charges against them and were detained pending their next hearing on July 15. Prosecutors allege that the victim, an Italian national aged 28 who remains unnamed, suffered significant distress, as evidenced by his barefoot and injured escape to law enforcement after 17 days in captivity.
Contrasting these claims, Duplessie’s attorney argued Wednesday that video footage shows the accuser joyously participating in group activities and drug use during the alleged period of his confinement. Lawyer Sam Talkin pointed out how the accuser can be seen in photos visiting an eyeglass store alongside a defendant, suggesting opportunities to escape.
Adding to the defense’s argument, Woeltz’s lawyer, Wayne Gosnell, reported that several witnesses observed the accuser freely entering and exiting the luxury SoHo townhouse, attending various social venues. He expressed skepticism about the accuser’s narrative.
Assistant District Attorney Sarah Khan contended that the videos might have been strategically leaked to frame the events in the defendants’ favor. According to Khan, the reality involved constant surveillance, violent intimidation, and a lack of genuine freedom for the accuser, as evidenced by discoveries of weapons and incriminating photos found following a police search of the townhouse.
These photos allegedly depict extreme situations, including one with a gun pointed at the man’s head and another where he’s set ablaze but not injured thanks to immediate extinguishment by urination. Prosecutors claim this episode may not have been the defendants’ first; they are investigating additional potential victims.
The defense team sought bail at $1 million and requested home confinement for their clients while denying any likelihood of flight risk, emphasizing their clients’ intent to fight the charges. Despite their current detention, both defendants could face a life sentence if convicted for kidnapping, assault, illegal confinement, and weapons possession.
The accuser claims the ordeal began on May 6 when Duplessie and Woeltz purportedly coerced him to a Manhattan townhouse, threatening his family. Allegedly subjected to torture, including electrocution and physical duress such as dangling from stairs, he eventually relinquished his computer password before managing to escape.
Prosecutors assert this incident marks the third such coercive meeting arranged by the two suspects, previously depriving the victim of devices and cryptocurrency, which remain unreturned.