Defendants Plead Not Guilty in Crypto Kidnapping Case

John Woeltz and William Duplessie, both prominent crypto investors, pled not guilty on June 11, 2025, in Manhattan criminal court in relation to a kidnapping and torture case involving cryptocurrency.

The case highlights ongoing security risks for high-value crypto holders but has not spurred immediate market shifts or regulatory warnings within the broader cryptocurrency sector.

Crypto King of Kentucky Charges in Bitcoin Extortion Plot

John Woeltz, dubbed the “crypto king of Kentucky,” and William Duplessie face charges related to the alleged kidnapping of Michael Carturan. Carturan claims the motive was to extract Bitcoin passwords, emphasizing the risk for high-net-worth crypto individuals.

Both defendants, Woeltz and Duplessie, are linked through investments and pleaded not guilty during their Manhattan court appearance. Carturan, the victim, holds significant Bitcoin assets, purportedly targeted in the crime.

Bitcoin Market Unshaken by Latest Wrench Attack

The cryptocurrency market has shown resilience, with no direct impact on Bitcoin prices or trading volumes linked to the incident. This reflects investor focus on systemic rather than isolated risks.

No regulatory advisories or warnings have been issued in connection to the case. Experts assert that instances of wrench attacks like this do not undermine protocol-level security or market integrity.

Industry Maturity Evident in Security Breach Reactions

In previous wrench attacks, such as the 2019 Oslo incident, market reactions remained minimal, underscoring the industry’s maturity in handling individual security breaches without panicking.

Experts from Kanalcoin suggest focusing on heightened security measures for individuals. Given recent trends, they predict limited market disruption, encouraging personal safeguards over widespread crypto system changes.

“There are no indications from official project websites, government financial portals, or major exchanges of a direct and quantifiable impact to any specific cryptocurrency price, trading volume, or protocol as a result of this incident.” – Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan

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