Federal agents conduct search at Kentucky estate linked to suspects involved in SoHo crypto torture case.

A Kentucky estate associated with two individuals accused of torturing an Italian man over a Bitcoin password was subjected to a thorough investigation by law enforcement officials on Tuesday. The raid involved a collaboration between the New York City Police Department, federal authorities, and the Kentucky State Police, targeting the property owned by cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz and his business associate, William Duplessie.

According to reports from Media News Source, investigators executed the raid under the authority of two warrants as part of an “active and ongoing investigation” involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This high-profile case centers around the alleged kidnapping and torture of 28-year-old Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, who was reportedly lured from Italy to Manhattan.

The allegations against Woeltz and Duplessie, aged 37 and 33 respectively, describe a harrowing ordeal in which Carturan was purportedly held captive for 17 days. Authorities allege that upon his arrival in Manhattan, Carturan was subjected to violent treatment, ultimately leading to his escape from a downtown townhouse bloodied and without shoes. In the aftermath of his escape, images surfaced that reportedly raised questions about the nature of Carturan’s captivity, depicting him in less constrained situations.

Prosecutors, however, have provided a starkly contrasting narrative to the images circulating in media outlets. They assert that Carturan’s wrists were bound, and he endured severe beatings, including electric shocks and assaults with a firearm, while being threatened with further violence. The alleged captors are also accused of more severe acts, including cutting Carturan’s leg with a saw and subjecting him to humiliation.

Upon his arrival at the Prince Street property, Carturan claimed that his passport and electronic devices were confiscated. He managed to escape when one of his captors temporarily left him unattended to retrieve a laptop, which they intended to use to gain access to the cryptocurrency password they sought.

Woeltz, known informally as the “Crypto King of Kentucky,” has found himself at the center of this disturbing case as investigations continue. The implications of the situation extend beyond the individuals involved, raising broader questions about security in the cryptocurrency sector and the lengths to which individuals may go to obtain digital assets.

As the case unfolds, it highlights the growing intersection between crime and technology, particularly in the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency, where the promise of unregulated wealth can lead to dangerous consequences. The investigation remains ongoing, with further developments anticipated in the days ahead.