A cryptocurrency investor is going through prices of kidnapping and assault after officers alleged he tortured one other man for weeks whereas demanding info to entry their Bitcoin.
John Woeltz, a 37-year-old man, pleaded not responsible Saturday to the charges he faces, together with kidnapping with intent to gather ransom, assault with intent to trigger bodily harm, illegal imprisonment and prison possession of a firearm.
Prosecutors allege that Woeltz saved the 28-year-old man for weeks in a Manhattan condominium, beating and stunning him, and threatening to hurt his household if he didn’t hand over his Bitcoin password. He was arrested after the person escaped from the townhouse and flagged a visitors officer on the road for assist, they mentioned.
Woeltz is being held with out bail.
A legislation enforcement official instructed The Related Press that the sufferer arrived in New York Metropolis from Italy earlier this month.
A prosecutor mentioned others have been additionally concerned in making an attempt to achieve entry to the sufferer’s Bitcoin.
The sufferer instructed officers that he was sure on the wrists and drugged, shocked with electrical wires, hit within the head with a firearm and dangled over a ledge on the prime of stairs. The prosecutor mentioned the sufferer’s accidents have been in step with what he described being sure and assaulted, and proof was discovered on the townhouse upon a search of the place.
Woeltz’s lawyer, Wayne Gosnell, instructed AP that he had no remark.
Woeltz’s subsequent look in courtroom is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Related Press contributed to this report.