Crypto Entrepreneur Held Without Bail for Kidnapping and Torture in SoHo

SoHo Kidnapping and Torture Case

• 🔑 A crypto entrepreneur, identified as John Waltz, has been ordered held without bail in connection with the alleged kidnapping and torture of a former business partner.
• 🎯 The victim, a 28-year-old from Italy, was lured to a lavish SoHo apartment on May 6th under the pretense of receiving cryptocurrency.
• 💰 Prosecutors allege Waltz, a crypto investor, sought to obtain the victim's Bitcoin password through prolonged torture.

Gruesome Torture Methods Detailed

• ⚠️ The victim reportedly endured weeks of torture, including being hung over a ledge, cut with a saw, forced to smoke crack cocaine, urinated on, shocked with electrical wires, and threatened with death to his family.
• ⛓️ An AirTag was allegedly placed around the victim's neck, and he was pistol-whipped.
• 📸 Evidence found at the scene includes saws, bullets, a gun, and Polaroids depicting the victim with a gun to his neck, along with blood evidence.

Victim's Escape and Ongoing Investigation

• 🏃 The torture ended when the victim escaped on Friday by running barefoot to a traffic agent for help, after telling his captors he would provide the password if they retrieved their laptops.
• 🚓 Police arrested Waltz, a 37-year-old, at his home and are currently executing search warrants.
• 🕵️ Authorities are still searching for an alleged accomplice who is believed to have participated in the kidnapping and torture with Waltz.
• ⚖️ Initial charges against a 24-year-old woman have been dropped pending further investigation.