Guest Commentary |
Bitcoin King: From luxury townhome to jail



The bottom line: Be satisfied with what you have. Don’t covet what belongs to someone else.


by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator




Would a million dollars make you happy? Would you be satisfied knowing you could eat well and do whatever you wanted? A million dollars isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still a huge sum of money. You could earn about $40,000 a year in interest. But wait—what if you had $100 million? You would be one of the richest people in the world! Can your mind even comprehend having that much money? Would you be satisfied? What about $100 million in bitcoin?

Apparently, it wasn’t enough for John Woeltz of Paducah, Kentucky, known as the “Crypto King of Kentucky.” He wanted \$30 million more in bitcoin—even if it meant stealing it from an acquaintance.

Woeltz and his business partner, William Duplessie, are accused of holding a man from Italy hostage for 17 days. They are alleged to have beaten him, cut him with a chainsaw, dangled him over a staircase, and kept him bound, among other torturous acts.

The victim reportedly owns $30 million in bitcoin, while Woeltz is said to control over $100 million in the cryptocurrency.

According to reports, Woeltz and Duplessie lured the Italian man to the U.S. under the pretense of a bitcoin trading deal, which turned out to be a setup for an attempted robbery. The pair wanted access to the man’s bitcoin password.

Eventually, the man reportedly gave Woeltz the password. When Woeltz left briefly to retrieve his laptop, the victim seized the opportunity and bolted out the door, seeking help from a New York City traffic officer walking down the street.

Woeltz and Duplessie now face the possibility of spending years in prison, paying millions in legal fees, and being sued by the victim—who could ultimately gain a significant portion of their wealth.

The bottom line: Be satisfied with what you have. Don’t covet what belongs to someone else. Trying to obtain another person’s money or property through illegal or immoral means only leads to painful consequences.

Evil never stops at level one or two—it always pushes further into debasement and depravity. A person who starts out stealing pennies may eventually steal dollars, doing whatever it takes to satisfy their growing thirst for more.

Many serial killers began with what seemed like minor crimes, but their actions escalated into hurting people, eventually developing into a thirst for murder.

Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a lifestyle. Sow a lifestyle, reap a destiny.

News sources report that Woeltz owns a jet and a helicopter. He was renting a six-floor luxury townhome in New York City for $30,000 a month—the site of the alleged kidnapping. Today, he and Duplessie sit in a New York City jail.


About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.


The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.



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Updated: Urbana to host two 'NO KINGS' protests on June 14



Urbana will host a "NO KINGS" on June 14, part of a national day of protest against authoritarianism. Organizers say the protests aim to defend democratic values on Flag Day.



Editor's Note: We just learned there will be only one rally on June 14 in Urbana, starting at 4pm. Originally, this story, as left intact below, noted there would be two separate protests.

There's only one No Kings protest in Urbana on June 14



URBANA - Two “NO KINGS” rallies are planned in Urbana on June 14, Flag Day, as part of a nationwide protest timed to coincide with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday and the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.

United States flag
Photo: Vivien/Pixabay
The first rally will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Meadowbrook Park, 2808 S. Race St., and is one of more than a dozen events scheduled in downstate Illinois to denounce what organizers describe as a growing threat of authoritarianism in American politics.

“In America, we don’t put up with would-be kings,” reads the event description. “NO KINGS is a national day of action in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies.”

The day of action continues from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Champaign County Courthouse in downtown Urbana. That protest is organized by Champaign County Indivisible, 50501 Illinois, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation - Central Illinois. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring signs, water, and a shared commitment to democratic values.

“Bring a desire to maintain our democracy,” reads the event post. “We already fought one war to oust a king. The United States does NOT HAVE A KING!!”

After the courthouse protest, a free community dinner will be served at 6 p.m. at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center in Lincoln Square Mall, sponsored by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

June 14 holds multiple historical ties. It is officially recognized as Flag Day in the United States, commemorating the adoption of the national flag in 1777. The date also marks the death of Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold, 224 years ago. Despite President Trump’s participation in Army birthday celebrations in Washington, which will include a parade and fireworks, the Army told Reuters it has no official plans to recognize the president’s birthday during the observance.

No Kings!!! rally graphic
Organizers of the NO KINGS events say they are responding to what they view as attacks on free speech, judicial independence, and democratic institutions. The coordinated rallies seek to affirm public opposition to executive overreach and political repression.

Here is a list of additional NO KINGS protest in downstate:

  • NO KINGS Quad Cities IL/IA
    Schwiebert Riverfront Park, 101 17th St, Rock Island, IL
    June 14, 1 PM - 3 PM CDT
    Hosted by Indivisible QC https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/790829/

  • NO KINGS Macomb, Illinois
    Macomb, IL
    June 14
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/786088/

  • NO KINGS Ottawa, IL
    Ottawa, IL
    June 14
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/790175/

  • NO KINGS Yorkville
    North Bridge Street N Bridge St, Yorkville, IL
    June 14 11AM – 3PM
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/792577/

  • NO KINGS Springfield, IL
    401 S 2nd St, Springfield, IL
    June 14 11AM – 3PM
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/792965/

  • NO KINGS Bloomington, IL
    600 N East St, Bloomington, IL
    June 14 12PM – 1PM
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/793601/

  • NO KINGS Ogle County
    Ogle County Circuit Clerk, 106 S 5th St, Oregon, IL
    June 14, 3 PM - 5 PM CDT
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/791484/

  • NO KINGS MASS PROTEST: ST LOUIS MARCH for DEMOCRACY
    Kiener Plaza, Downtown St. Louis, MO
    June 14, 2 PM - 5 PM CDT
    Hosted by 50501 and Show Me Action https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/793460/

  • NO KINGS - South County St. Louis
    Intersection of S. Lindbergh and Baptist Church, 5330 S Lindbergh Blvd, Sappington, MO
    June 14, 11 AM - 1 PM CDT
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/784867/

  • NO KINGS : Southern Illinois
    Carbondale Civic Center, 200 N Illinois Ave, Carbondale, IL
    June 14, 1 PM - 3 PM CDT
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/787389/

  • NO KINGS Cape Girardeau
    Cape Girardeau, MO
    June 14
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/786583/

  • NO KINGS Macoupin County Courthouse - Carlinville, IL
    Macoupin County Courthouse, 201 E Main St, Carlinville, IL 62626
    June 14 2PM – 4PM
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/793360/

  • NO KINGS Belleville, IL
    Downtown Belleville around the Square Fountain, 10 Public Square,
    Belleville, IL 62220
    June 14 2PM – 4PM
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/789609/

  • Alton People's United Lovejoy Monument, 1205 E 5th St, Alton, IL 62002
    June 14 10AM – 12PM
    Volunteer organized https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/event/791555/




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