Crypto Kidnap Case Puts NYPD Officers Under Investigation

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Crypto Kidnap Case Puts Two NYPD Officers Under Investigation

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: May 30, 2025

Key Takeaways

Two NYPD officers were reassigned while under investigation for possible involvement in a crypto-related kidnapping;
One officer allegedly drove the victim to the townhouse, while the other may have been paid to provide off-duty security;
Two suspects, including the so-called "crypto king of Kentucky", face charges in the high-profile kidnapping case.

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Crypto Kidnap Case Puts Two NYPD Officers Under Investigation

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Two New York City police officers have been moved to limited-duty roles while investigators look into their possible ties to a recent kidnapping case involving cryptocurrency.

According to a report from The New York Times on 29, Detective Roberto Cordero, part of Mayor Eric Adams’ security team, picked up investor Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan from the airport and drove him to the townhouse.

The other officer, Detective Raymond J. Low, was reportedly involved in guarding the building where Carturan said he was held.

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Both officers are currently under internal review and have been reassigned to non-operational duties. City officials say Cordero was working off-duty when he drove Carturan, while Low may have been paid privately by one of the suspects to provide security.

NYPD officers need official permission to take on side jobs in private security. The Internal Affairs division is handling the investigation.

Two men have been charged in the case, John Woeltz, also known as the "crypto king of Kentucky", and William Duplessie, a Swiss national who co-founded a crypto investment firm.

Woeltz was officially indicted by a grand jury on May 29. His lawyer requested a $2 million bond by arguing that Woeltz has no criminal record and holds a philosophy degree. Meanwhile, Duplessie remains in custody, with his indictment still pending.

Recently, Vietnamese authorities arrested five individuals accused of operating a large-scale crypto scheme called Matrix Chain. How did the police uncover the case? Read the full story.