Crypto Investor John Woeltz Charged with Kidnapping and Torturing Italian Tourist for Weeks in Upscale N.Y.C. Apartment

A cryptocurrency investor has been charged aft constabulary declare he kidnapped and tortured an Italian tourist for much than 2 weeks successful New York City. 

John Woeltz, 37, was arrested connected Friday, May 23, per a connection from nan New York Police Department (NYPD) obtained by PEOPLE, aft nan tourist, 28, escaped from an upscale N.Y.C. flat that greeting and told an on-duty postulation supplier that he had been “held against his will” since May 6. 

"The antheral [tourist] further stated he had been routinely assaulted during his captivity," nan NYPD said. The unfortunate was transported to NYC Health and Hospitals successful unchangeable condition. 

On Saturday, May 24, Woeltz was charged pinch 2 counts of second-degree battle and 1 complaint each of kidnapping, imprisonment and criminal possession of a firearm. 

The Associated Press reported that nan unfortunate was held captive for not giving up his Bitcoin password. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office told nan outlet that Woeltz is being held without bail.

PEOPLE reached retired to nan Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and Woeltz’s lawyer, Wayne Gosnell, for remark and further accusation connected Sunday, May 25, but did not instantly perceive back. 

Beatrice Folchi, 24, was besides taken into custody successful narration to nan crime connected May 24 and faces 1 count each of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, according to CBS News.

However, The New York Post reported that nan Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to prosecute Folchi, pending further investigation.

Folchi worked arsenic Woeltz’s assistant, constabulary sources told nan Post.

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The unfortunate told constabulary he arrived successful nan U.S. from Italy connected May 6 and went to Woeltz’s rented home, constabulary sources antecedently told WNBC.

The unfortunate said he and Woeltz had antecedently done business together, WABC reported, citing constabulary sources.

Their narration soured aft a conflict and nan unfortunate went backmost to Italy, but Woeltz allegedly convinced him to return to Manhattan, wherever he was held against his will, per constabulary sources.

The unfortunate told constabulary that Woeltz allegedly took nan victim's passport and tortured him, per WNBC’s constabulary sources. The outlet besides stated that constabulary recovered Polaroid pictures of nan unfortunate tied up and being tortured.

Police reportedly recovered a weapon and respective torture devices, per WNBC and WABC.