Crypto Investor Arrested for Alleged Kidnapping and Torture in Manhattan
Italian businessman reportedly held captive and abused in SoHo apartment over cryptocurrency dispute
A thirty-seven-year-old cryptocurrency investor from Kentucky has been arrested in New York City for allegedly kidnapping and torturing a twenty-eight-year-old Italian businessman in a luxury SoHo apartment.
The incident reportedly began on May sixth, when the victim traveled to New York to meet with the suspect, with whom he had prior business dealings.
Upon arrival, the victim's passport was confiscated, and he was allegedly restrained and subjected to various forms of abuse over a period exceeding two weeks.
The victim reportedly endured physical assaults, including being bound with electrical cords, electroshocked, pistol-whipped, and threatened with an electric chainsaw.
He was also allegedly forced to consume cocaine.
Authorities discovered Polaroid photographs depicting the victim in distressing situations, including images of him tied to a chair with a firearm pointed at his head.
These photographs were found alongside weapons and other items within the apartment, which was being rented for approximately thirty to forty thousand dollars per month.
On May twenty-third, the victim managed to escape and alerted a nearby traffic officer.
He was subsequently transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
The suspect was apprehended shortly thereafter and has been charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a weapon.
A twenty-four-year-old woman has also been arrested in connection with the case and faces charges of first-degree kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment.
Authorities are continuing their investigation and have indicated that additional individuals may be involved.