In one of the most shocking crypto-related criminal cases in recent memory, a U.S. investor has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a young man for several weeks inside a luxury Manhattan apartment. The incident came to light after the victim managed to escape and notify authorities.
Bitcoin Wallet Password Sparks Brutal Abduction
According to reports, 37-year-old John Voeltz was arrested last Friday night after the victim’s escape and was formally charged in Manhattan court on Saturday. He faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and illegal possession of a firearm.
The ictim, a 28-year-old Italian man, had traveled to New York in early May and was abducted on May 6. Prosecutors revealed that he was held captive in a high-end apartment and subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in an attempt to extract the password to his Bitcoin wallet, which was stored on his laptop.
Voeltz and his accomplices allegedly shocked the victim with electric cables, struck him with a firearm, and even threatened to kill him by pushing him down a staircase — all in pursuit of access to his crypto assets.
Disturbing Evidence: Barbed Wire and Threatening Photos
Following the victim’s escape and subsequent police investigation, authorities discovered a range of incriminating evidence at the apartment, including cocaine, barbed wire, a bulletproof vest, night-vision gear, ammunition, a saw, and even photos showing the victim with a gun pointed at his head.
Voeltz remains in custody without bail and has been ordered to surrender his passport. Prosecutors emphasized that he had access to a private jet and helicopter, making him a high flight risk. Investigators also believe that additional suspects are involved and may still be at large.
This alarming case underscores the rising risks faced by crypto investors, particularly in unregulated or private transactions, and raises serious concerns about personal security in the digital asset space.
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