Crypto Investor Denied Bail for Kidnapping and Torturing Tourist for Bitcoin

Kidnapping and Torture Case Update

• 📌 A crypto investor, identified as 37-year-old John Waltz, has been denied bail in a disturbing case involving the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian tourist.
• 📍 The incident reportedly took place in an upscale Manhattan townhouse.

Alleged Motive and Victim's Ordeal

• 🎯 Investigators allege that Waltz's motive was to gain access to the victim's Bitcoin account.
• ⚡ The Italian national told police he was severely beaten, drugged, shocked with electrical wires, and dangled over an edge by his captors.
• 🔑 The captors were reportedly seeking the victim's passwords to access his digital assets.

Legal Proceedings and Defense

• ⚖️ Waltz was arrested on Friday outside a luxury rental and his request for release on a $2 million bond was denied by a judge.
• 📚 His attorney argued that Waltz has no criminal history, a philosophy degree, and professional accomplishments, but this was not enough to secure bail.
• ⚔️ Waltz's attorney informed the judge that his client intends to fight the case.

Accomplice Surrenders

• 🤝 Police also stated that Waltz had an accomplice, William Duplesy, who surrendered to authorities on Tuesday and is awaiting indictment.