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- Two NYPD detectives are under internal review over possible ties to an illegal detention case.
- An Italian crypto entrepreneur was allegedly tortured for access to his digital wallet.
- The investigation has raised concerns about off-duty police work and ethical boundaries.
Two seasoned NYPD detectives are facing serious scrutiny. They allegedly played a role in the illegal confinement of an Italian crypto entrepreneur. The case involves Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, who reportedly endured captivity in a high-end Manhattan residence.
Roberto Cordero and Raymond J. The NYPD assigned an internal investigation to the detectives, including Low. On May 28, the department placed both officers on modified duty. Investigators suspect the officers offered unapproved security at the townhouse where Carturan was held.
The case came to light when Carturan fled and phoned the local police. Reports indicate that one of the detectives might have given him a ride from the airport. This happened on May 6. What followed was more than two weeks of alleged torture and intimidation. Carturan’s digital wallet held millions in bitcoin, prompting the ordeal.
Crypto Investors Accused of Kidnapping
Investigators say the entrepreneur’s kidnappers weren’t strangers. They were former business associates. Authorities accuse John Woeltz and William Duplessie, both U.S.-based cryptocurrency investors, of masterminding the ordeal.
They allegedly tried to force him to surrender access to some valuable cryptocurrency assets. According to the police, the suspects confined him and applied psychological as well as physical pressure. After several days of torment, Carturan escaped.
His escape provoked an immediate investigation and the subsequent arrest of Woeltz and Duplessie. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecuted them for kidnapping and torture. A grand jury later indicted Woeltz. His arraignment is set for June 11, when the complete indictment will be unsealed.
NYPD Detectives Face Misconduct Probe
Their supposed involvement has raised the NYPD’s apprehensions over detectives Cordero and Low. Cordero is a veteran of 20 years, and his history reflects prior complaints about misconduct. Reports highlight previous allegations related to abuse of authority and physical aggression. Investigative records reveal that Low has also been previously accused.
This incident raises new questions about whether police officers should work as private security guards. Cordero and Low lacked licenses to provide protection services. The NYPD prohibits its officers from engaging in off-duty activities that could create a conflict of interest.
As the investigation unfolds, the department will likely have to reconsider how its policies are enforced. This case touches on much larger issues regarding accountability and the mixed roles of public service versus private interests. Investigators are working to uncover the complete footprint of the detectives’ actions. Carturan is also assisting police by providing information as a witness in the ongoing criminal case.
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