Third Arrest Made in High-Profile Kidnapping of Bitcoin Investor in New York

Crypto Investor Arrested for Violent Kidnapping and Torture in Effort to Access Victim's Bitcoin Wallet

In a shocking development, a third suspect has been arrested in New York as part of an ongoing investigation into the violent kidnapping of a Bitcoin investor. William Duplessie, along with John Woeltz, faces charges for allegedly abducting a 28-year-old Italian businessman and holding him captive in a Manhattan apartment for two weeks.

Authorities claim the pair subjected the victim to electric shocks, physical beatings, and threats with a firearm in an attempt to force access to his cryptocurrency holdings. Duplessie now faces multiple charges, including assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and illegal firearm possession.

This case highlights an alarming rise in violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders. Earlier this month, French authorities arrested 12 individuals in connection with two separate crypto-related kidnappings in Paris, one involving the father of a digital currency entrepreneur.

If convicted on all counts, Duplessie and Woeltz could receive sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison. The incident underscores the growing security risks in the cryptocurrency space and the critical need for robust asset protection measures.