$1M Bail Granted to Crypto Kidnapping Suspects in Shocking Soho Case: What You Need to Know

• Key Questions Answered

In a jaw-dropping legal twist, two men accused of torturing an Italian national in a luxury Soho townhouse to steal his cryptocurrency were granted $1 million bail each by a Manhattan judge. The case, riddled with credibility gaps and gruesome allegations, highlights the dark underbelly of crypto-related crimes—now surging globally. Dive into the bizarre details, conflicting evidence, and why this ruling has left prosecutors fuming. --- ### Judge Grants Bail Amidst "Dubious" Evidence Manhattan Judge Gregory Carro stunned the courtroom by releasing John Woeltz and William Duplessie on strict conditions, including ankle monitors and passport surrender. The duo, detained since May, faces charges like kidnapping and assault but walked free after the judge questioned the prosecution’s "uncorroborated" claims. *"There are serious credibility issues here,"* Carro noted, pointing to inconsistencies between the victim’s account and defense evidence. Prosecutors allege the pair set the victim on fire and urinated on him to extinguish flames—a claim the defense calls *"nonsensical."* --- ### Gruesome Allegations vs. Surveillance Footage Prosecutor Sarah Kahn painted a horror-movie scene: the victim lured to New York under threats, then tortured with tequila, a chainsaw, and a gun for his crypto assets. She even showed a photo of him engulfed in flames. But defense attorney Sam Talkin countered with *glaring* contradictions: - Surveillance video showed the victim casually smoking alone 36 hours *before* the alleged captivity. - Another clip depicted him behaving normally—hardly like someone who’d just endured torture. *"His story doesn’t add up,"* Talkin argued, hinting at possible fabrication. --- ### Crypto Crime Wave Hits $2B+ in 2025 This case isn’t an outlier. Chainalysis reports $2.17B stolen via crypto hacks this year—already surpassing 2024’s $1.87B. Woeltz, dubbed *"Crypto King of Kentucky,"* faces separate probes for similar crimes, per law enforcement notes. Why it matters : High-profile crypto crimes are evolving from digital heists to *physical violence*, signaling a dangerous trend. --- ### FAQ: Unpacking the Soho Crypto Kidnapping

Key Questions Answered

Why did the judge grant bail despite violent accusations?

Judge Carro cited weak evidence and inconsistencies, including footage contradicting the victim’s timeline.

What’s the connection to Kentucky?

Woeltz is tied to a property there where investigators found notes about crypto-targeted kidnappings.

How does this reflect broader crypto crime trends?

Physical coercion is rising alongside digital theft, with global losses up 16% year-over-year.