Overview

• Prosecutors say Carturan was held from May 6 to May 23 in a Manhattan townhouse and tortured with shocks, pistol-whipping and threats to force access to his cryptocurrency password.
• Carturan escaped on May 23 by flagging down a traffic officer, leading to the immediate arrest of John Woeltz and the later surrender of William Duplessie; both are jailed without bail.
• New multimedia evidence captures Carturan smiling in party scenes and tied to a wheelchair, raising questions about the duration and nature of his detention.
• Authorities have charged Woeltz and Duplessie with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault and weapons possession, and their next court appearances are scheduled later this month.
• The case highlights a broader rise in ‘crypto kidnappings’, with similar tactics reported in France, Belgium, Canada and Australia.