Italian crypto millionaire escapes torture after kidnapping, runs barefoot to NYPD officer
An Italian crypto millionaire was caught on camera escaping from the luxury SoHo townhouse after allegedly being tortured for his cryptocurrency password.
Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, a well-known bitcoin trader, was seen barefoot and visibly shaken as he approached an NYPD traffic officer on Friday, according to exclusive footage obtained by NBC New York.
Police say the video was taken just moments after he fled the Prince Street property, where he had been held against his will.
According to investigators, Carturan endured brutal treatment at the hands of his captors, who were trying to force him to hand over access to his digital fortune.
John Woeltz, a Kentucky-based crypto investor often called the 'crypto king,' has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and weapons possession in connection with the incident.
William Duplessie, another bitcoin trader, turned himself in to police on Tuesday after being named a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
Woeltz's assistant, Beatrice Folchi, an Italian national, was also taken into custody on Friday but was later released after prosecutors said more evidence was needed before moving forward.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Woman seeks bail for live-in partner she charged with abuse of minor daughter
Kolkata: In a bizarre turn of events, a Salt Lake-based entrepreneur, who lodged a complaint against her live-in partner for allegedly abusing her minor daughter leading to his arrest under Pocso charges, pleaded for his bail in Calcutta High Court on Tuesday because her "child misses her father (the live-in partner)". The woman told the HC that while her partner "is dying in prison", she was "dying outside". The court granted bail to the accused, who is at Dum Dum Central Jail since Aug 8, 2024, stating that "there is no immediate chance of conclusion of trial". Moving the bail plea before Justice Prasenjit Biswas, senior advocate Phiroze Edulji argued that Pocso charges were being "weaponised" in this case. Edulji said the woman met the accused in prison, and the minor daughter, who was allegedly abused, refused to corroborate the claims before the trial court. The state had to declare the child a "hostile witness", he said. The state counsel opposed the bail plea, citing several "incriminating documents" about the involvement of the accused in the crime. The state argued that it would be risky to grant bail when the trial was ongoing, and that the accused could tamper with evidence. Edulji said: "The woman said she lodged the complaint in a fit of rage. Her daughter, she said, misses her partner." "Failure to conclude the trial within a reasonable time resulting in prolonged incarceration militates against the precious fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution," Justice Biswas said. The court noted that the victim girl (PW1), who already deposed before the trial court, was examined on Jan 8, 2025. It also noted that the victim girl was declared "hostile" by the prosecution, and nothing came out after her cross-examination. It was also noted that the de facto complainant didn't turn up in trial court on several dates despite receiving summons, the latest being on May 7. Justice Biswas directed the accused to furnish a bail bond of Rs 20,000 and directed him to appear before the Pocso special court, Barasat, on each hearing date. The court also asked him to stay outside the jurisdiction of Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate until further orders.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Raj employeeheld for spying,sent to 7-daypolice custody
Jaipur/Jaisalmer: A Jaipur court on Tuesday sent Shakur Khan, an assistant administrative officer in the employment department in Jaisalmer, to seven days' police remand after intelligence agencies arrested him for allegedly spying for Pakistan. Khan was picked up from his Mangliyon Ki Dhani village on May 28 and formally arrested on Monday evening following multiple rounds of interrogation at the Intelligence Bureau headquarters in Jaipur. According to the prosecution, WhatsApp chats, frequent communication with Pakistan-based individuals, and multiple unauthorised visits to the country without informing the department pointed to his involvement in espionage. Khan, who has been booked under Official Secrets Act, 1923, was produced before a local court in Jaipur. Prosecution officer Sudesh Kumar Sattawan said: "We sought 10-day remand, arguing that he made unauthorised visits to Pakistan and there was evidence of his contact with ISI. Further interrogation is needed to gather more evidence and uncover any spy network he may have been linked to within India." Intelligence agencies said Khan maintained contact with individuals linked to ISI, including Ehsaan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, who worked at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and was expelled from India after being declared persona non grata last month. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Officials said Khan used stolen mobile phones to make calls to Pakistan and underwent training for espionage during his cross-border visits. IG (CID security) Vishnu Kant Gupta said Khan had been under surveillance for some time. "It was found that Shakur Khan was in regular contact with certain individuals working at the Pakistani embassy, particularly Danish and Sohail Qamar, among others," the officer said. The case has sparked political controversy in Rajasthan after it emerged that Khan worked in 2008 as a personal assistant to Congress politician and former MLA Saleh Mohammad, who is from Jaisalmer.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Nagpur Police Seize 108 kg Ganja After High-Speed Chase
Nagpur: In a major crackdown on , Kalamna police intercepted a vehicle after a dramatic chase and seized 108 kg of ganja (marijuana) on Tuesday evening. According to sources, police had received a tip-off about marijuana being smuggled from Odisha. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Acting swiftly, checkpoints were set up. When a suspected vehicle was asked to stop, the driver attempted to flee. However, Kalamna police gave chase and managed to apprehend both the driver and the Nagpur-based receiver. A large quantity of ganja, packed in bundles, was recovered from the vehicle. The operation was led by Senior PI Pravin Kale of Kalamna Police Station as part of Operation Thunder, under the guidance of commissioner of police Ravinder Singal and DCP Niketan Kadam. In a separate case, Hudkeshwar police arrested two men on Monday evening and seized over 2 kg of ganja worth ₹40,000. According to police, the narcotics were allegedly brought from Hyderabad for distribution in Nagpur. Based on a reliable tip-off, a police team intercepted a two-wheeler around 6.20pm at Tapasya Chowk, Manewada Ring Road. The riders — Sheikh Anwar Sheikh Jafar (30), a resident of Milan Nagar, and Mohammad Imran Md Majeed (27), from Toli Chowki, Hyderabad — were found carrying 2.03 kg of ganja. Police also seized two mobile phones and the motorcycle, bringing the total value of recovered items to ₹1 lakh. This operation was led by Senior PI Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar under the guidance of Zonal DCP Rashmita Rao and ACP (Sakkardara division) Narendra Hiware.
