Who Is William Duplessie? The Crypto Figure at the Center of a Kidnapping Controversy

William Duplessie is a 33-year-old blockchain investor now facing serious criminal charges in connection with an alleged kidnapping and torture case involving millions in digital assets.

Authorities say Duplessie, along with his business associate John Woeltz, known in some circles as the "crypto king", played key roles in a chilling ordeal that lasted more than two weeks inside a luxurious Manhattan townhouse. 

The victim, an Italian businessman also tied to the crypto industry, claims he was held against his will, beaten, drugged, electrocuted, and threatened with death in a brutal attempt to obtain access to his Bitcoin holdings.

Who Is William Duplessie?

William Duplessie is a U.S.-based entrepreneur and crypto investor with ties to multiple blockchain ventures. According to public profiles, he served as co-founder and head of sourcing at Pangea Blockchain Fund, a private investment firm that has backed various Web3 and crypto-related startups. 

Prior to the current criminal allegations, Duplessie had maintained a relatively low profile, mostly appearing in niche finance and tech spaces online.

On Tuesday, Duplessie surrendered to the NYPD’s Major Case Squad, accompanied by his legal counsel. He now faces charges including kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon. 

His attorneys have declined to speak publicly, but during a court appearance, they emphasized that the allegations are being "hotly disputed." A judge denied bail and ordered that Duplessie remain in custody pending his next court hearing.

Read also: Why Did John Woeltz Kidnap His Partner? Understanding the Full Story

About the “Crypto King” Kidnapping Case

The case began to unfold on May 6, when the 28-year-old Italian victim arrived in New York City for what he believed was a business meeting with Duplessie and Woeltz. 

Instead, police say the victim was forcibly confined inside an eight-bedroom townhouse in SoHo — a $30,000-a-month rental located on Prince Street — where he was subjected to sustained abuse.

According to prosecutors, the attackers took the victim’s passport and devices and demanded access to his Bitcoin wallet. When he refused, they allegedly began a campaign of physical and psychological torture. 

The victim told police he was pistol-whipped, shocked with electrical wires, urinated on, and had a chainsaw used on his leg. At one point, he said he was suspended over a staircase and threatened with death unless he revealed his crypto passwords.

The Victim Forced to Smoke From A Crack Pipe

During his 17-day captivity, the man was also allegedly forced to smoke from a crack pipe and ingest drugs while being photographed in humiliating positions. Polaroid pictures found at the scene reportedly show the victim with a gun pointed at his head.

His escape came early on a Friday morning, when the captors left the room to retrieve his computer. Video footage later showed him barefoot and bruised, running down a city street and pleading for help from a traffic officer.

When authorities searched the townhouse, they reportedly discovered drugs, body armor, ammunition, night vision goggles, and additional items linked to torture. The property was described by police as a “high-end frat house,” with stripper poles in the basement and empty liquor bottles scattered throughout.

Read also: Crypto King of Kentucky Kidnapping Scheme: What Really Happened?

Both Duplessie and Woeltz are believed to have had a complicated relationship with the victim. Police sources describe the dynamic as turbulent and marked by previous episodes of aggression. However, none were as severe as this incident.

John Woeltz, who was arrested shortly after the victim's escape, has been described as a prominent figure in the crypto industry with a reported net worth of around $100 million. Like Duplessie, he is facing multiple felony charges and remains in custody.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who is William Duplessie?

A: William Duplessie is a blockchain entrepreneur and investor who co-founded Pangea Blockchain Fund. He is currently facing kidnapping and assault charges in New York in connection with an alleged torture and extortion scheme involving a cryptocurrency associate.

Q: What is a crypto criminal? 

A: A crypto criminal is someone involved in illegal activities that either target cryptocurrency itself or use the features of cryptocurrency to carry out illegal acts.

Q: Can you go to jail for using crypto? 

A: No, generally, you cannot go to jail just for mining crypto on your PC, as crypto mining itself is not illegal. However, using crypto for illegal activities can lead to legal trouble.

Q: How can you tell if someone is a crypto scammer? 

A: Signs of a crypto scammer include investments promoted through social media (especially paid ads), claims of highly profitable trading systems using AI or algorithms, fake celebrity endorsements, and offers of low-risk, high-return opportunities.