During that time, the pair took his electronic devices and passport so he could not reach his funds. They even wrote a manifesto laying out their plan to steal his cryptocurrency, which is believed to be worth $100 million.
Now, Woeltz must stay at home unless he needs to see a doctor, meet his lawyers, or handle an emergency. He will wear an electronic monitor to make sure he follows the rules.
Both men pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and torture. Defense attorneys claimed this was “fraternity-like hazing” with Carturan acting as a pledge. They argued the rough treatment was no worse than typical college initiation rituals.
Prosecutors disagree. They say Carturan was beaten with electric wires, hit on the head with a firearm, and threatened with death if he did not unlock his bitcoin. At one point, he was carried up the stairs and dangled over a ledge while his captors threatened to kill him.
Carturan eventually managed to flee and flagged down a traffic officer nearby. He later told authorities that his captors forced him to take drugs and even urinated on him to humiliate him. Woeltz is a Kentucky-based cryptocurrency investor. Duplessie lives in Miami. Both could face years in prison if convicted.
Their next court date is set for October 15. According to legal experts, lengthy pretrial waits are common in high-profile cases. Observers say this case is a stark warning for anyone who keeps large sums of money locked behind a single password. Strong storage plans and backup methods can help—but as Carturan’s ordeal shows, they can’t stop every crime.
Featured image from Pexels, chart from TradingView
