Newly released footage from the now-infamous crypto kidnapping case paints a radically different picture of what went down inside a Manhattan townhouse — complete with sex parties, cocaine talk, and bizarre pranks.
TMZ has obtained exclusive videos and photos showing alleged victim Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, an Italian businessman, smiling, partying shirtless, and appearing comfortable during what police say was a 17-day kidnapping ordeal.
Was This Really a Hostage Situation?
According to police, John Woeltz and William Duplessie kidnapped Carturan from May 6 to May 23, allegedly torturing him in an effort to obtain the password to his multi-million-dollar Bitcoin wallet. Prosecutors claim the suspects beat, shocked, and pistol-whipped Carturan.
But these newly uncovered images — reportedly taken between May 11 and 12 — raise eyebrows.
Carturan is seen laughing, engaging with women, and even participating in simulated S&M scenes. In one photo, he’s shirtless and smiling with a leash around his neck held by a woman, while others watch from a couch. One man’s identity is obscured, so it’s unclear if he’s one of the suspects.
Graphic Videos and Party Atmosphere
Perhaps the most jarring video shows Carturan having sex with a woman when an unidentified man bursts in and presses a pink sex toy against him. Other clips feature Carturan discussing how to cut cocaine with baking soda, lounging near a man holding a large knife, and crawling on his knees with a leash being gently tugged.
Another strange moment shows him in a wheelchair, casually sipping a drink and eating a sandwich, while the movie A Simple Favor plays on the wall behind him.
Cooking Crack in Captivity?
TMZ had previously shared footage from May 11 at 1:45 AM, allegedly showing Carturan tied to a wheelchair — but with hands free — cooking crack cocaine in an air fryer, while others in the room laugh.
While none of the footage shows Carturan visibly distressed, it only accounts for a 2 to 3-day window of his nearly three-week alleged captivity. Authorities insist serious abuse took place during the broader timeline.
Legal Fallout
Woeltz and Duplessie are currently being held without bail, facing charges including kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, assault, and criminal possession of a weapon.
These new images are likely to become a focal point in their defense, potentially raising questions about Carturan’s level of consent and whether he was truly held against his will throughout the full ordeal.
No Comment from Authorities
TMZ says they reached out to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD, and attorneys representing the accused — but have yet to receive a response.
Conclusion
While the criminal charges remain serious, these explosive images introduce new complexity to a case that has already blended crypto wealth, party culture, and criminal allegations in a way that seems almost too surreal for fiction.
???? Do you think the footage clears the suspects or complicates the case further? Drop your thoughts below.
