Aspiring actress, 24, busted in crypto bros’ 'chainsaw torture plot' at NYC townhouse

An aspiring actress was arrested alongside Kentucky-based cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz for the alleged kidnapping and torture of an Italian businessman in Manhattan.

Folchi, an Italian-born marketing manager and occasional actress, reportedly acted as Woeltz's assistant in his plot to secure the man's bitcoin password.

"I'm not arrested. Everything is going to be told but with a lawyer - I can't make any comments right now," Folchi informed the Post on Saturday. Despite this, Folchi was charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, but the Manhattan District Attorney's Office declined to prosecute pending further investigation, according to a spokesperson.

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Folchi studied at the University of Connecticut from 2017 to 2020, where she concentrated on communication and philosophy. Since then, she has gained experience in various marketing roles, as indicated on her LinkedIn profile.

"Experienced in managing media production and events for prestigious clients in the sports and automotive industries, including Puma, Manchester City, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley," her profile bio stated, which also highlights her fluency in Italian.

Her profiles on IMDb and Backstage underscore her participation in multiple films, short projects, and series since 2020, including a drama titled "Butterfly Wings" that premiered in 2021.

Residents of Southbury, Connecticut were shocked to learn that the Folchi family's home had been rented out while they were vacationing in Italy, and was the site of a horrifying crime.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by CBS News New York, the victim, who had arrived in New York City from Italy on May 6, was lured to the SoHo residence with the promise of retrieving Bitcoin he had allegedly been coerced into sending to the suspect.

During the arraignment of the suspect, Woeltz, on Saturday, prosecutors revealed a chilling account of the victim's ordeal. The victim was reportedly tied up and subjected to weeks of torture.

The businessman managed to escape on Friday and flagged down a nearby traffic agent, who promptly called 911. He later shared his fear that he thought he would be killed that day.

Prosecutors detailed the horrific abuse the victim endured while in captivity. He reported being tied up, shocked with electric wires, having his leg cut with a chainsaw, and being forced to smoke drugs.

Police later found a saw at the home and photos documenting the victim's abuse, including a Polaroid of him being threatened at gunpoint.

When authorities arrived to arrest Woeltz, he was only wearing a bathrobe. The shocking scene left local residents stunned as it unfolded outside the townhome.

"We saw police running this way and then there was just a lot of screaming. Police with their guns out, then the SWAT team came in, then a fire truck,"an eyewitness Molli Sramowicz said.