Crypto Investor Faces Charges for Torturing Tourist in NYC

When Crypto Goes Wrong: A Tale of Torture and Bad Investments! 😂💸

  • John Woeltz was charged with kidnapping and torturing an Italian tourist.
  • Police found evidence of torture, including Polaroid photos.

In the bustling heart of New York City, where dreams are woven and sometimes shattered, a man named John Woeltz, aged 37, found himself entangled in a web of his own making. This cryptocurrency investor, who had once danced with the stars of digital fortune, was arrested on a fateful day, May 23, 2025, for holding captive a 28-year-old Italian tourist. Ah, the irony! One seeks the American dream, only to find himself in a nightmare of electric cords and Polaroid memories.

Our unfortunate tourist, having arrived in the land of opportunity on May 6, was lured into Woeltz’s SoHo abode under the pretense of a business meeting. Little did he know, his passport would soon be a mere souvenir of freedom lost. Tied up like a holiday turkey, he endured a series of tortures that would make even the most hardened criminal cringe. Electric shocks, beatings with a firearm, and cuts from a saw—oh, the creativity of human cruelty! Assistant District Attorney Emily Mattson, with a flair for the dramatic, proclaimed in court, “They threatened to kill his family unless he obeyed.” Because nothing says “business meeting” like a side of intimidation!

Among the Polaroid photos discovered by the police were chilling images of the victim’s plight, one particularly striking with a gun ominously pointed at his head. An AirTag, the modern-day collar of shame, was affixed around his neck for tracking purposes. This crypto trader, who once boasted a fortune of $30 million, had fled Italy only to find himself in a horror story worthy of a bad thriller. He flagged down a police officer, bleeding and battered, after a chainsaw had made an unwelcome acquaintance with his leg. Talk about a rough day at the office!

Woeltz now faces a litany of charges: first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm. He appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court, where the judge, perhaps with a hint of sarcasm, decided that bail was not in the cards for him. After all, who would want to risk this man’s return to society, armed with both a firearm and a questionable moral compass? It’s worth noting that Woeltz has been dabbling in cryptocurrency since 2011, participating in projects like HyperCash and Grin. Clearly, he took the “grin” part a bit too literally!

Second Suspect Arrested, Released

On the same day, a young woman named Beatrice Folchi, aged 24, was arrested as part of this bizarre saga. Initially charged with first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment, she was soon released, as the Manhattan District Attorney decided that more investigation was needed. Meanwhile, the police are on the hunt for a second man, believed to be part of this twisted tale. It seems Woeltz had a whole crew of misfits, and the police are currently interrogating them, though no charges have been filed yet. Perhaps they were just there for the snacks?

As the police combed through the SoHo townhouse, now a crime scene, they unearthed torture tools and photographs that would make even the most seasoned detective shudder. An NYPD spokesperson solemnly stated, “He was kept against his will for weeks.” Investigators continue their work, searching for any additional signs of the horrors that transpired within those walls.

The victim, whose identity remains a mystery, had previously conducted business with Woeltz. He had come to New York with hopes of settling financial affairs, only to find himself ensnared in a nightmare. Forced to smoke crack cocaine and subjected to electric shocks, he became a cautionary tale in the world of cryptocurrency. Experts are now ringing alarm bells about the dangers of large transactions, urging the industry to take heed. After all, who knew that investing in crypto could lead to such shocking outcomes? 😅

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2025-05-26 05:29