Manhattan Grand Jury Indicts William Duplessie
In a notable legal development, a grand jury in Manhattan has indicted William Duplessie, a 32-year-old man linked to a severe kidnapping and torture incident involving an Italian cryptocurrency investor. The indictment, confirmed on Friday, includes charges of kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and illegal weapons possession, connected to an elaborate scheme aimed at extorting Bitcoin from the victim through violent means over a span of several weeks, as reported by the Associated Press.
Details of the Allegations
Duplessie, alongside 37-year-old John Woeltz, allegedly enticed the victim to a townhouse in Soho on May 6 by issuing threats against the victim’s family. Both men faced charges last week, with Woeltz being denied bail during a court appearance on Thursday after seeking a release on a $2 million bond. Woeltz’s lawyer attempted to highlight his client’s lack of prior criminal history, degree in philosophy, and notable achievements in the technology sector, arguing for bail, but ultimately the request was turned down. During this hearing, Woeltz was noted to have a strong determination to contest the charges, even though he did not attend the session in person.
In the meantime, Duplessie voluntarily turned himself in to Manhattan law enforcement on the previous Tuesday. A third suspect, identified as Beatrice Folchi, also faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment but has been released pending further investigation. While Duplessie sought bail set at $1 million, his request was rejected due to the grave nature of the offenses. The formal indictments for both Duplessie and Woeltz will remain sealed until their scheduled arraignment on June 11.
The Victim’s Ordeal
The victim, a 28-year-old Italian citizen, endured a terrifying 17-day ordeal, during which he was subjected to torture, including being threatened with electric wires and forced to use cocaine through a crack pipe. Reports reveal an instance where the victim was dangled from a five-story staircase to instill fear.
The situation escalated on May 23 when, after being pistol-whipped by Woeltz, the victim, fearing for his life, pretended to comply with demands while seizing an opportunity to escape when his captors left to retrieve a laptop. He managed to reach the street, where he sought assistance from a nearby traffic enforcement officer, appearing disheveled and bloodied.
Evidence Discovered
Authorities later discovered an array of disturbing items during a search of the townhouse, including a saw, cocaine, body armor, chicken wire, night-vision goggles, ballistic helmets, and ammunition. Additionally, harrowing Polaroid photos depicting the victim in compromising positions were also retrieved, as detailed by Assistant District Attorney Michael Mattson in reports.
Public Safety Concern
This incident is part of a growing trend of violent “wrench attacks,” underscoring a serious public safety concern. In response to these alarming occurrences, various organizations, including Decrypt, have begun to compile strategies aimed at enhancing personal defense against such crimes. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, along with the legal representatives for both Duplessie and Woeltz, have yet to comment on these developments.
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair
