The two officers have been placed on modified duty pending the outcome of an investigation
Two New York Police Department detectives have been placed on modified duty amid an investigation into their alleged connection to a cryptocurrency-related kidnapping and torture case in Manhattan. The officers, Roberto Cordero and Raymond J. Low, are accused of involvement with a Soho townhouse where a crypto trader was reportedly held against his will for over two weeks.
According to reports from The New York Times, Cordero, who is part of Mayor Eric Adams’ security team, picked up alleged victim Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan from the airport and brought him to the townhouse where the incident took place. Carturan, said to have a net worth of around $30 million, later escaped and alerted authorities on May 22.
Both Cordero and Low reportedly provided security at the location, though it’s unclear whether they were aware of the full extent of what was happening. One of the detectives was allegedly working off-duty, while the other was reportedly paid by one of the suspects. NYPD officers are not allowed to take private security jobs without official approval.
The Internal Affairs Bureau is currently investigating their conduct. The mayor’s office stated the officers were quickly reassigned once the allegations surfaced.
Carturan told police he was tortured by his captors, John Woeltz and William Duplessie, who allegedly tried to force him to give up his crypto wallet access. Carturan claims he was electrocuted, tied up, and threatened with an electric saw. A grand jury has since indicted Woeltz, who remains in custody without bail. Duplessie’s case is pending indictment.
Cordero, a 20-year veteran, and Low have both faced multiple civilian complaints in the past, ranging from abuse of authority to use of excessive force. While some of those cases were unresolved or did not lead to disciplinary action, both officers are now under renewed scrutiny in light of the ongoing case.
