How is Next Gen NYC's Charlie Zakkour linked to John Woeltz's arrest? 

Charlie Zakkour, a cast member of Bravo's reality series Next Gen NYC, was present outside a Soho townhouse during the arrest of cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz in May.

Woeltz and business partner William Duplessie faced charges for allegedly kidnapping and torturing Italian businessman Michael Carturan to steal his cryptocurrency passwords. Video footage showed Zakkour looking concerned as police made the arrests at the Prince Street property.

Next Gen NYC follows young New Yorkers navigating their careers and social lives in Manhattan's elite circles. Next Gen NYC premiered featuring Zakkour as one of its rising personalities in the city's nightlife scene.

However, according to The Cut, his connection to the criminal case emerged through his role in recruiting young women to parties at the defendants' townhouse, specifically targeting employees from the nearby Brandy Melville store.

According to reports from Intelligencer, Zakkour was enlisted by the suspects' assistant Morgan O'Connor to bring "hot girls" to their residence for parties. His Manhattan club connections and dating history with Brandy Melville employees made him valuable for recruiting purposes. The arrest shocked the Brandy Melville community, with one source describing the aftermath as "D-Day in the Brandy store." Zakkour has not been formally charged with any crimes related to the case.

What was Next Gen NYC star Charlie Zakkour’s role in the crypto kidnapping case?

Michael Carturan escaped from the Prince Street townhouse on Memorial Day weekend, bleeding and barefoot. The 28-year-old Italian businessman claimed Woeltz and Duplessie held him captive for weeks while torturing him for cryptocurrency account passwords. He flagged down a traffic officer and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police arrested both suspects following Carturan's escape and testimony. The case represents the first known crypto kidnapping in New York City, part of a growing global trend with at least 33 similar incidents worldwide this year. The appeal for criminals lies in cryptocurrency's decentralized nature, making theft difficult to reverse once passwords are obtained.

Woeltz and Duplessie had transformed their five-story townhouse into an after-hours party venue. The property hosted wild gatherings featuring young Brandy Melville employees recruited through various Manhattan connections. The suspects displayed weapons including guns, knives, and cattle prods while bragging about intelligence agency ties.

Next Gen NYC's Charlie Zakkour operates within Manhattan's exclusive nightlife circuit as a club promoter and social connector. His dating history with several Brandy Melville employees over the years established him as a regular presence at the Broadway store. Staff members questioned his frequent visits, with one employee wondering about "an unc doing at Brandy."

His recruitment efforts involved bringing young women to clubs and after-parties throughout the city. This social networking made him valuable to Woeltz and Duplessie's operation when they needed attractive guests for their townhouse gatherings. The connection appears to have been facilitated through Morgan O'Connor, who served as the suspects' assistant.

The arrangement allowed the cryptocurrency investors to maintain their extravagant lifestyle while having access to young women for their private parties. Zakkour's Manhattan connections provided the social infrastructure necessary for their entertainment needs.

Before their arrest, Woeltz and Duplessie became notorious figures in Manhattan's high-end nightclub scene. They appeared nightly at exclusive venues including Jean's, Paul's Casablanca, and the Box without reservations. Their spending often reached six figures per evening, forcing clubs to stock more expensive bottles.

The pair traveled with extensive security teams, sometimes including ten guards and off-duty NYPD officers. Their appearance varied from hillbilly aesthetics with gun holsters and camouflage to luxury Louis Vuitton outfits and bulletproof vests with military patches.

Club operators initially assumed they were wealthy tourists due to their unusual presentation and spending habits. Their behavior exemplified the type of irrational spending that nightlife venues depend upon for profitability.

What is the current status of the case?

Zakkour's exact knowledge of the alleged torture scheme remains unclear. He has not faced formal charges in connection with the kidnapping case. His presence during the arrest suggests potential witness status rather than direct criminal involvement.

The incident highlights how Manhattan's social networks, as seen on Next Gen NYC, can inadvertently facilitate criminal enterprises through seemingly innocent party recruitment activities.

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You can catch Next Gen NYC every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo, with full episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.

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