A man’s parents reportedly suffered captivity and torture at the hands of two individuals known as the Crypto Brothers in Manhattan.
The 28-year-old Italian, Michael Valentino Theophlastro Carturan, is believed to have been held against his will from May 6 to May 23 in a high-end apartment on Prince Street by John Watts and William Duplesey.
Interestingly, an Italian source mentioned that “Michael’s phone and his parents exchanged messages on WhatsApp.” This might indicate some attempts to manage the situation without raising too much alarm, though it’s a bit hazy.
Carturan’s parents, Maurizio and Lydia, were only made aware of the situation on May 25 by a family friend, Pietro Zucchetti.
Despite this alarming news, the family appeared somewhat skeptical and had been in the process of selling their home near Turin for approximately $1 million.
New York prosecutors suspect that the lives of Carturan’s family were in danger during this troubling period.
Maurizio confirmed to an Italian newspaper that he received texts that he believed were from his son throughout the time of his captivity.
Neighbors described Carturan as an individual who began traveling frequently, although they didn’t seem clear on the nature of his work.
The young man previously worked at a nearby farm, described by acquaintances as “curious” and not someone looking for trouble.
His family runs a herbalist store, where his parents were, and after learning of their son’s situation, they flew to the U.S. to meet him and officials.
In a recent video, Carturan was seen appearing at a house party discussing drugs, but there are unsettling clips where he seems either restrained in a wheelchair or led around by a string. Reports also indicate that an Apple AirTag was being used to track him.
Interestingly, no missing persons report was filed by his family, and they declined to comment further.
Maurizio, a prolific author on alchemy and spirituality, has since deleted all his social media accounts and closed the family’s shop.
Following this, the parents traveled to New York to meet with the Italian Consul General, who facilitated a meeting with their son at the district attorney’s office.
The consul general stated that they are working alongside U.S. authorities regarding the case to assist the Carturan family.
John Watts was seen being escorted by police in Manhattan after his arrest, while William Duplesey also surrendered to authorities. Both men are currently being held without bail on charges including illegal imprisonment and assault.
Following Carturan’s escape and subsequent encounter with traffic police on May 23, he was taken to a hospital for injuries believed to have been inflicted during his captivity. This included severe physical assaults. Watts and Duplessie were arrested shortly thereafter.
Watts, often called the Crypto King of Kentucky, reportedly lives a lavish lifestyle alongside Duplessie, and the two remain behind bars as legal troubles intensify.
In a recent court hearing, Duplesey’s attorneys claimed that as more details emerge, they are eager to address the alleged crimes, asserting that the facts of the case are contentious.
