The ATF was joined by the New York Police Department and has support from the Kentucky State Police as well. West Kentucky Star has not gotten confirmation on the particulars of the search, but it is believed to be in connection to the case of cryptocurrency magnate and Paducah native John Woeltz.
Woeltz has been in jail in New York after he and another man were accused of holding an Italian man hostage at a residence in New York City. The victim was allegedly kept against his will and tortured in an effort to get the password to the Italian's Bitcoin account.
Sources suggested to West Kentucky Star that a second raid in Livingston County may have been going on at the same time, as Woeltz is reported to have a residence elsewhere in the county.
Locals know the home on Court Street as the former home of Jim Smith and it sits just above the Ohio River blocks off of US 60. A records check at the Livingston County Clerk's Office indicated that the Smith mansion was sold on January 27th, 2025 for $1 million. It is deeded to Mr. Smith, LLC which is registered in Wyoming.
This is a developing story.
Photo courtesy of JPs Traffic
