John Woeltz, widely dubbed the “Crypto King of Kentucky,” and his alleged accomplice William Duplessie are at the center of a chilling criminal case involving the alleged torture of a man in New York City, and new details reveal a backdrop of extravagant nightlife spending and bizarre behavior.
According to sources cited by TMZ, the two men frequented The Box, an exclusive Manhattan nightclub known for its provocative burlesque and erotic performances. They reportedly began visiting in February and would often spend between $80,000 and $100,000 in a single night. Images and video obtained by TMZ show the pair in the club during their spree.
The Box, famed for its sensual atmosphere and adult-themed shows, became a regular haunt for the suspects, who were living at the luxury Aman New York hotel at the time. Sources say Duplessie, a Swiss national, regularly went shirtless at the venue, claiming that people took him more seriously that way and that it made him feel powerful, even comparing himself to a mafia figure.
Duplessie’s drink of choice was reportedly Don Julio 1942 tequila and champagne, consumed directly from the bottle. The duo eventually moved from the Aman to The Mercer Hotel and later into a lavish townhouse in SoHo, where they allegedly hosted afterparties filled with models, many of whom were said to be from top agencies like IMG and Wilhelmina. Party promoters were hired to bring the women back to their residence, according to the report.
Despite their high-flying lifestyle, authorities say Woeltz and Duplessie were leading a dark double life. They allegedly kidnapped and tortured Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan in an effort to force him to reveal access to his cryptocurrency assets. Carturan later managed to escape the townhouse and alerted police, sparking the investigation.
Woeltz was arrested last Friday at the townhouse wearing only a bathrobe and is now facing multiple felony charges including assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and weapons possession. Duplessie, who turned himself in earlier this week, faces similar charges.
Sources close to the situation described Duplessie as a manipulative figure, likening him to notorious fraudster Anna Delvey. Reports suggest he convinced Woeltz to remain in New York despite initial hesitation, and the two maintained an intense party lifestyle that masked the criminal activities now alleged against them.
As the case unfolds, both men remain in custody while the investigation continues.
