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Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Epoch Times
Second Crypto Investor Surrenders in Manhattan Kidnapping, Torture Case
A second cryptocurrency entrepreneur has turned himself in to police in connection with the alleged abduction and prolonged torture of an Italian man inside a luxury Manhattan townhouse, authorities said Tuesday. William Duplessie, 32, faces a range of charges, including kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon, according to police. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office didn't immediately return a request for comment from NTD News. His surrender comes four days after the victim—a 28-year-old Italian national—managed a dramatic escape from the SoHo residence, where he told police he had been held captive, beaten, and threatened for nearly three weeks. Duplessie's arrest follows that of John Woeltz, 37, another crypto investor, who was Both men have been described in online profiles and Related Stories 5/26/2025 5/12/2025 Woeltz was described as a silicon valley investor and a former board member at Sprocket, a nonprofit economic development organization and entrepreneurship hub based in Paducah, according to a 2020 interview with The Paducah Sun. In a 'Like many in our community, we are shocked and saddened by these events. These allegations are deeply troubling and feel profoundly out of character from the person we came to know. Our thoughts are with everyone affected,' according to the Kentucky-based news outlet. Stealing Bitcoin According to prosecutor Michael Mattson, the victim arrived in New York City from Italy in early May and was lured to the eight-bedroom townhouse on May 6, where the alleged scheme to steal his Bitcoin began, Mattson told a Judge on Saturday. Over the next 17 days, the man told police he was subjected to a range of abuses: his wrists bound, shocked with electrical wires, pistol-whipped, cut on the leg with a saw, and forced to smoke from a crack pipe. At one point, he said, his captors dangled him from the top of a staircase and threatened to kill him if he did not provide the password to his Bitcoin account, according to Mattson. The victim said he was led to believe his family was also in danger if he refused to cooperate. Fearing for his life, he finally agreed to give up the password on Friday morning, May 23. When his captors left to retrieve his computer, he seized the opportunity to escape. A search of the townhouse uncovered many pieces of evidence, including cocaine, a saw, chicken wire, body armor, night vision goggles, ammunition, and polaroid photos showing the victim with a gun pointed at his head and a crack pipe in his mouth. The victim was hospitalized with injuries consistent with his account, including wrist wounds and facial cuts, Mattson said. The case comes amid a surge in violent crime targeting cryptocurrency holders. Similar incidents have been reported internationally and across the United States, including the recent rescue of a crypto entrepreneur's father in Paris after attackers severed one of his fingers, and a failed abduction attempt of another entrepreneur's daughter. Last August, a Connecticut couple was kidnapped in a ransom plot linked to a $240 million crypto heist allegedly involving their son. A recent FBI report found that internet crime losses soared to $16.6 billion in 2024, with cryptocurrency theft accounting for the largest share at over $6.5 billion—up nearly a third from the previous year. Woeltz was arraigned May 24 on charges of kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm, and was ordered held without bail, according to court records. Mattson said he posed a flight risk due to his access to a private jet and helicopter and ordered him to surrender his passport. He is due back in Manhattan criminal court next week. Authorities indicated that additional suspects may be involved, referring to an 'unapprehended male' mentioned in court records. The investigation remains ongoing, and the victim's name has not been released due to privacy concerns. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News
Epoch Times
6 days ago
- Epoch Times
Fiery Boat Explosion Near Fort Lauderdale Hospitalizes 11 on Memorial Day
A boat explosion along the Intracoastal Waterway near Fort Lauderdale sent 11 people to the hospital on Memorial Day, with several suffering serious burns, according to local authorities. The explosion occurred around 5:45 p.m. on Monday after a boat carrying 13 people erupted in flames, the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue told NTD News, sister media of The Epoch Times, in an emailed statement. Spokesperson Frank Guzman said the explosion sent some people into the water. The explosion occurred near a sandbar, a common place for boaters to gather. Nearby boaters immediately came to their aid. Of those on board, 11 sustained injuries, including burns, and were sent to the trauma center at Broward Health Medical Center. Two of those involved were children who suffered 'extensive burn injuries,' Guzman said. Ten of the injured were transferred to a specialized burn unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, he said. The 11th was discharged from the hospital late Monday night. The explosion took place as the boat was traveling near the New River Triangle, a busy area on the holiday weekend, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast in a Witnesses described the scene as the explosion rocked the waterway. 'When they went to start their boat up, it just exploded,' said Brett Triano, who was nearby at the time, Related Stories 5/26/2025 5/26/2025 Triano added that he and others rushed over in a dinghy to help pull victims from the water as bystanders called 911. Antonio Rivera, one of the burn victims, said he suspects a fuel leak may have triggered the explosion. 'We tried to fuel up the boat and it must've been a gas leak and a spark went off and an explosion,' Rivera The U.S. Coast Guard, Broward Sheriff's Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and Fort Lauderdale Police all responded to the scene, rescuing and transferring the injured to emergency medical services, according to the Coast Guard. Salvage operations for the boat are being arranged, and the FWC is leading the ongoing investigation into the cause of the explosion. Separate Memorial Day Tragedy in Ohio Parade In a separate Memorial Day incident, a 13-year-old boy from North Canton, Ohio, died after falling from a parade trailer and being struck by its tires during the City of Green's Memorial Day parade, according to the The accident happened just after 11:20 a.m. Monday, as Matthew Schultz was riding on a dual-axle car hauler sponsored by Air Ninja Gym. Seven children and two adults were on the trailer, which was being pulled at or below 5 mph by a Ford F-150 pickup, officials said. Green Fire and EMS, who were participating in the parade, witnessed the accident and responded immediately, transporting Schultz to Akron Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Summit Metro Crash Team is assisting with the ongoing investigation, and Massillon Road was closed for two hours as authorities processed the scene. From
Epoch Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Epoch Times
Digital Platform Gan Jing World's 2025 Contest Highlights What We Love About Mom
New York-based Gan Jing World (GJW)—a video and social media platform committed to promoting wholesome, family-friendly content—has launched its third annual contest to honor what we love about our mothers. The Mother's Day 2025 campaign invites users worldwide to share personal tributes to their moms—highlighting the values, traditions, and moments that have shaped their lives. The campaign encourages participants to submit original stories, videos, songs, and other creative tributes that honor their mothers. Submissions are open until May 18, and must be tagged with #GJWMothersDay2025, along with a themed sub-hashtag such as #MomsMagicDish, #SongForMom, #TravelWithMom, or #GiftForMom. 'This event is about deepening our connections with our families and with each other,' GJW's spokesman shared via email. 'Every day with Mom is a gift—but this Mother's Day—we're inviting creators and users to make it extra special.' Participants may submit videos (minimum 30 seconds), shorts, photos, articles, or posts, each accompanied by a short description. Multiple entries are welcome. Related Stories 3/30/2025 3/21/2025 'We want to bring people together to celebrate moms everywhere through stories, songs, memories, and creative content,' GJW said. Entries will be judged based on likes, views, shares, comments, and overall content quality. The final winners will be announced on May 26. Contest Prizes: First Place: $300 + a box of Puritang Black Ginseng Roots ($600 value) Second Place: $200 + a box of Puritang Black Ginseng Extract ($168 value) Third Place: $100 + a box of Puritang Black Ginseng Extract ($168 value) Fourth Place: 7 winners will each receive $50 + a box of Puritang Green Vegetable Omega-3 ($96 value) Each year, the contest reaches a wider audience. Winners from But high production value isn't what always wins the day. 'It was often the simplest moments that left the deepest impressions—like kids and adults alike doing household chores, giving mom massages, or writing heartfelt notes filled with love,' the company told NTD News. GJW is offering new platform users, who join by May 18, a chance to win Mother's Day rewards, including Wise Quest Smoothing Eye Patches for 10 winners ($29.90 value); and a 3-month GJW+ Ad-Free Plan for another 10 users. Gan Jing World, which translates as 'Clean World,' was founded to create a digital space rooted in kindness, respect, and tradition. 'Our mission is to reconnect people with morals and traditions and to create a safe, uplifting digital space for all,' the New York-based company states. 'The GJW Mother's Day Video Awards reflect that spirit, celebrating gratitude, family, and the power of heartfelt creativity.' For more information you can visit From
Epoch Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
2 Washington Flights Abort Landings Due to Nearby Army Helicopter
Two commercial flights were ordered to abort their landings at Reagan Washington National Airport on Thursday when a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter approached the area en route to the Pentagon Army Heliport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement sent to NTD News, sister media of The Epoch Times, that air traffic controllers instructed Delta Air Lines Flight 1671, an Airbus A319 from Orlando, and Republic Airways Flight 5825, an Embraer 170 from Boston, to perform go-arounds at around 2:30 p.m. local time because of a nearby military air transport helicopter in the vicinity. The incident is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Following a The FAA told Congress it is reviewing the Army helicopter's route in Thursday's 'loss of separation' incidents and is determining whether the route violated an agreement with the Army. 'It appears the Black Hawk operation did not proceed directly to the Pentagon Heliport. Instead it took a scenic route around the Pentagon versus proceeding directly from the west to the heliport,' the FAA said in a memo. Delta Air Lines reported that Flight 1671 was carrying five crew members and 97 passengers. 'Nothing is more important at Delta than the safety of our customers and people. We'll cooperate with the FAA as they investigate,' the airline said on Friday. In separate statements to NTD News, Delta and Republic Airways said they are cooperating with the authorities investigating the incident. The Pentagon did not respond to a request for comment by publication. Sen. Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Commerce Committee, criticized the fact that the same Army brigade flew a helicopter too close to Reagan Washington National Airport months after the fatal collision in January. 'It is outrageous that only three months after an Army Black Hawk helicopter tragically collided with a passenger jet, the same Army brigade again flew a helicopter too close to passenger jets on final approach at [the airport]. This comes less than a week after this brigade resumed flights in the National Capital Region. It is far past time for Secretary Hegseth and the FAA to give our airspace the security and safety attention it deserves,' she said in a statement. The FAA in March permanently closed one key route and banned the use of two smaller runways at the airport when helicopters conducting urgent missions are operating near the airport. The FAA is According to the Reuters contributed to this report. From
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Autopsy Confirms Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman's Wife, Died of Hantavirus
Betsy Arakawa, a concert pianist and the wife of late actor Gene Hackman, died from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, according to a final autopsy report released Tuesday. The report, made public two days after Hackman's autopsy findings, detailed that Arakawa's lungs were 'heavy and congested,' with fluid buildup in her chest and mild hardening of the blood vessels supplying her heart and body, confirming an earlier positive test result for hantavirus. Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease transmitted through the droppings, saliva, or urine of infected rodents. It does not spread between humans. The New Mexico Department of Health found rodent droppings in outbuildings on the couple's property, though no evidence of rodents was discovered inside their home, which was described as clean. Arakawa, 65, tested negative for COVID-19 and influenza, and her autopsy found no signs of trauma. Her carbon monoxide levels were within a normal range, and toxicology reports indicated the presence of caffeine but no alcohol or intoxicating drugs. The autopsy and toxicology results for Arakawa were released as part of a broader investigation into the deaths of both she and her husband, whose bodies were Gene Hackman's autopsy, released on Sunday, determined that the 95-year-old Oscar-winning actor died from heart disease and was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. Hackman had not eaten for an extended period before his death and tested negative for hantavirus. Related Stories 4/29/2025 4/16/2025 In the days leading up to her death, On the morning of Feb. 12, Arakawa sought a concierge medical service in Santa Fe and contacted the service but missed a return call. In an email to her massage therapist, she wrote that Hackman had woken up with 'cold or flu symptoms' but had tested negative for COVID-19, and that she would reschedule her appointment 'out of an abundance of caution.' Authorities found the couple's bodies in separate areas of their home after maintenance and security workers made the discovery. Police The release of the autopsy and investigative records followed a court order, after the Hackman estate and family sought to keep the documents private. Media organizations agreed not to release images of the couple's bodies. The Associated Press contributed to this report. From NTD News
