Overview

• John Woeltz, a cryptocurrency investor, has been charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and firearm possession in New York City.
• The victim, a 28-year-old Italian tourist, was allegedly tortured for over two weeks, including being electrocuted, beaten, and forced to smoke cocaine.
• Prosecutors allege Woeltz sought the victim's Bitcoin password, threatening his family and seizing his passport and devices upon his arrival in the U.S.
• The victim escaped on May 23, flagging down a traffic agent while bloodied and shoeless, leading to Woeltz's arrest that same day.
• A second individual, Beatrice Folchi, was detained but released pending further investigation; police recovered weapons, torture devices, and incriminating photos from the scene.