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A second man believed to be connected to a disturbing crypto-related kidnapping in New York is expected to turn himself in to police soon. He’s reportedly a Swiss crypto investor tied to Joel Woeltz, the man already in custody for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a 28-year-old Italian man inside a luxury apartment in Soho.
According to multiple reports, the second suspect may already be in custody, though sources differ. NBC New York claimed he would surrender within a week, while FOX5 cited conflicting updates suggesting police may have already arrested him. The unnamed man is said to be the co-founder of a Swiss trading firm.
Victim Allegedly Held For 17 Days In Soho
Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, a 28-year-old crypto investor from Italy, flew into New York on May 6 to meet his “business partners.” That meeting quickly turned into a nightmare. He was allegedly detained in the five-story Soho apartment for 17 days, during which he was tortured and abused in a bid to extract his crypto wallet seed phrase.
Woeltz was arraigned on kidnapping, assault and imprisonment charges and ordered held without bail Saturday. Credit: Michael Nagle / New York Post.
Woeltz, nicknamed the “crypto king of Kentucky,” now faces serious charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and assault. He remains behind bars, with his next court appearance scheduled for May 28. His assistant, Beatrice Folchi, who is originally from Italy, was also arrested but has since been released without charges.
Torture, Threats, And A Narrow Escape
Police say Carturan was tied up with electrical cords, electrocuted, and even tased in the feet while they were submerged in water. He was allegedly forced to smoke crack cocaine, urinated on, and shown an electric chainsaw, which was used to threaten to cut off his limbs.
BTC is currently trading at $109,218. Chart: TradingView
Investigators say a Polaroid photo was found showing Carturan tied to a chair with a gun pointed at his head. The entire ordeal reportedly unfolded in an apartment filled with expensive liquor, stripper poles, and loud music — described by NBC reporters as resembling a “high-end frat house.”
Carturan finally managed to escape on May 23. He told police that he tricked Woeltz into letting him retrieve his laptop, where the seed phrase was stored. As Woeltz turned his back, Carturan bolted, barefoot, toward a traffic officer outside.
Crypto Wealth At The Center Of Attack
NBC New York reported that Carturan’s net worth is estimated at $30 million. That figure may have made him an attractive target for a criminal scheme, one where access to a single passphrase could mean millions in stolen digital currency.
Investigation Still Ongoing
While Woeltz is already in custody, the fate of his alleged accomplice remains unclear. Reports from different outlets conflict over whether the Swiss trader has already turned himself in or is still arranging to do so. Police have not released his name.
The investigation is still open, and more arrests could follow depending on what comes to light next. For now, the spotlight remains on Woeltz and the chilling claims that have stunned both the crypto world and the wider public.
Featured image from Discovery Institute, chart from TradingView
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