Infamous Podcast Summary
Episode: The Crypto Criminals and The Soho Townhouse
Date: February 19, 2026
Hosts: Vanessa Grigoriadis, Gabriel Sherman, Natalie Robehmed
Guest: Ezra Marcus (freelance reporter, New York Magazine co-author)
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the surreal and alarming world of "crypto crimes," focusing on a sensational New York City case involving two alleged kidnappers, John Waltz and William Du Plessis. The hosts and guest Ezra Marcus unpack the rise of violent "wrench attacks" aimed at seizing digital currency, blending elements of modern techno-paranoia, high society parties, and true crime intrigue. The conversation also explores broader cultural implications of the crypto boom, the psychology and lifestyle of crypto "bros," and the vulnerabilities inherent in digital assets.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction to Crypto Kidnappings [00:35–02:15]
- The episode starts by highlighting the evolution of crime in the age of cryptocurrency, specifically mentioning "wrench attacks"—violent assaults intended to extract crypto wallet passwords.
- Vanessa Grigoriadis frames the central story as "a modern day American psycho, like Wolf of Wall Street meets crypto paranoia," introducing the main accused, John Waltz and Will Du Plessis.
The New Mafia: Crypto Criminals [02:15–04:56]
- Vanessa and Ezra discuss how "crypto criminals" are becoming the new mafia, often targeting fellow insiders for their digital wealth.
- “If you're a crypto crime boss, this is the new way that you operate.” – Vanessa Grigoriadis [02:39]
- Ezra describes the “mainstream bro criminal” versus "underground subcultural figure" distinction as blurred in the crypto world, with the “Lamborghini lifestyle” incentivized by rapid speculation and risk.
Culture of Risk, Crypto, and the Modern Bro [04:56–10:46]
- Ezra connects this story to broader transformations in youth culture: rampant speculation, online gambling, and a normalization of high stakes, high reward thinking.
- “We've all become sort of numb how crazy it is that these people in the last 10 years started making life altering amounts of money by investing in NFTs and stuff.” – Ezra Marcus [05:38]
- Vanessa critiques fetishization of wealth and instant success and how this narrative attracts young men looking for shortcuts.
Paranoia, Parties, and White House Mansions [14:16–24:00]
- Recounting the alleged duo’s NYC life—renting an $75,000/mo eight-bedroom townhouse, extravagant nightlife, and outrageous spending.
- “They would spend over six figures a night at all these high end clubs...” – Ezra Marcus [15:45]
- Details the “party house” with a constant stream of Brandy Melville store employees and young club-goers, plus conspicuous security.
Descent into Delusion and Vigilantism [17:40–20:58]
- Explores Waltz and Du Plessis’ friendship, their time spent in Kentucky at the bizarre Smith Mansion, and their increasing delusions—paranoia, stockpiling of weapons, writing a "manifesto" about taking action against criminal elements.
- “It laid out their plan to essentially fight against criminals and pedophiles by targeting enemies of the country … a fantasy of patriotic, extrajudicial revenge.” – Ezra Marcus [20:15]
The Importance of Cocaine [20:58–21:56]
- Both hosts and Ezra stress the excessive and constant cocaine use as vital context for the paranoia and reckless behavior.
- “...the story, really, the key to this story is cocaine. Even more than crypto is the amount of cocaine that these guys were doing.” – Vanessa Grigoriadis [20:58]
- Guests arriving to the mansion were greeted with military cosplay, armed guards, and open drug use.
Targeting and "Investment Scams" [25:00–27:51]
- The alleged criminals would seek out crypto investors, feigning interest in business or investments to extract access to victims’ wallets, sometimes using intimidation tactics.
- For example, one would-be victim was told to hand over his passwords for a "security check," which he immediately recognized as a ruse. [25:47]
The "Torture Townhouse" Case [27:51–29:26]
- Focus shifts to the main victim, Michael Karturin: initially lured by friendship and parties, allegedly then held captive, tortured, and forced to hand over his crypto assets.
- Victim eventually escaped barefoot into the street, bleeding and flagged down police.
- “He basically said that two crypto investors had held him captive and tortured him for weeks for the passwords to his cryptocurrency accounts.” – Host/Producer (Natrobe) [28:57]
- Waltz and Du Plessis now face kidnapping, torture, and extortion charges.
Legal Arguments & Nature of Crypto Crime [29:26–31:04]
- Defense claims the victim was a willing participant; prosecution asserts coercion and violence created effective captivity.
- Ezra details the paradox of crypto: self-custody means one’s fortune is only as secure as one’s resilience to physical intimidation—unlike bank-protected funds.
- “If you want to be the bank, you have to suddenly start hardening your life in all these ways... the security of my holdings is only as strong as my ability to withstand torture as far as giving up my password.” – Ezra Marcus [31:10]
The Tragedy of Unprotected Wealth & Cultural Reckoning [32:48–34:44]
- Discusses the wave of wealthy crypto owners now reverting to secrecy and paranoia, hiding their assets and identities amid rising dangers.
- “Much easier to steal the $30 million of somebody whose $30 million is just essentially a password in their mind versus a bank account...” – Ezra Marcus [31:56]
- Vanessa frames this as part of a larger cultural shift away from flaunting wealth and questioning whether the get-rich-quick, hyper-individualist tech ethos will persist.
- “If part of what goes down is the get rich quick attitude and everybody branding themselves and the total fetishization of multimillionaire culture, I don't think that's a bad thing.” – Vanessa Grigoriadis [34:44]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“It just turns out to not be a very easy thing to store millions of dollars of assets. I mean, it isn't really something that I think most people feel comfortable doing. That's why you don't usually see people with millions of dollars of cash in your house.”
— Ezra Marcus [33:32] -
“My pleasure. Thanks for having me.”
— Ezra Marcus closing out the discussion [35:59]
Important Timestamps
- [00:35–02:15] — Introduction and framing of the story
- [14:16–16:45] — Description of the Soho Townhouse and nightlife extravagance
- [17:40–21:15] — Paranoia, the Kentucky mansion, vigilante delusions
- [21:56–23:39] — Interactions with Brandy Melville employees and the “party” scene
- [25:00–29:26] — Criminal allegations, victim’s story, police involvement
- [31:04–32:48] — Why crypto is vulnerable to physical theft ("wrench attacks")
- [34:44–35:59] — Closing reflections on cultural impacts and the future of crypto culture
Episode Tone & Takeaways
- Candid, darkly humorous yet serious in exploring both the farcical excess and the real dangers of crypto-fueled crime.
- Explores the intersection of technology, culture, criminality, and wealth through vivid storytelling and sharp journalism.
- Leaves listeners with critical questions about the sustainability of public crypto culture, self-custody, and the under-examined risks in digital asset ownership.
For more reporting on this and similar scandals, find Ezra Marcus in New York Magazine and listen to further episodes of Infamous.