A new set of charges has been brought against one of the investors of self-proclaimed “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski, who is facing trial for allegedly orchestrating Pleterski’s kidnapping. Akil Heywood, aged 42, who had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars with Pleterski, was recently charged with multiple offenses, including allegedly tampering in a co-accused’s legal case.
Heywood was charged last month with trying to discourage Deren Akyeam-Pong, who had pleaded guilty in the kidnapping case, from providing evidence in a legal proceeding on November 3, 2025. This date coincides with the removal of a temporary publication ban on the agreed statement of facts related to Akyeam-Pong’s guilty plea in connection with Pleterski’s 2022 kidnapping.
Akyeam-Pong pleaded guilty to nine charges, including kidnapping, assault, and various gun-related offenses in October 2025. Heywood faces additional charges, one of which involves him allegedly fleeing the scene of a street racing accident in Scarborough that resulted in injuries to four individuals, including an infant. According to Toronto police, Heywood was involved in a street race that led to a collision between a green Lamborghini SUV he was driving and a Mercedes, which then hit a truck. Charges against Heywood include dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failing to stop at the scene of an accident, and engaging in stunt racing.
Heywood was previously arrested in July 2023 in connection with Pleterski’s kidnapping and later released on bail. His trial for the kidnapping and attempted extortion of Pleterski is slated for November, alongside two other co-accused individuals.
Domenic Basile, Heywood’s legal representative, did not provide any comments on the recent developments. Heywood had previously maintained his innocence regarding the kidnapping allegations.
In a separate incident, Pleterski was abducted on December 5, 2022, under the guise of a meeting with a potential investor. The abduction, allegedly masterminded by Heywood, led to a three-day ordeal during which Pleterski was subjected to threats, torture, and physical harm, including waterboarding, cigarette burns, and beatings with golf clubs before being released in downtown Toronto.
Pleterski’s financial troubles have been well-documented, stemming from bankruptcy proceedings initiated by some investors in the summer of 2022. At the time of his abduction, Pleterski was embroiled in attempts to recover over $40 million invested in cryptocurrency and foreign currencies. Subsequent investigations revealed that Pleterski had spent a significant portion of the funds on personal expenses, leaving only a fraction for the investors.
Allegedly, Heywood orchestrated the kidnapping in a bid to reclaim the money he believed was owed to him, offering compensation to Akyeam-Pong and two others to carry out the abduction. Pleterski himself has faced legal issues, with arrests made in May 2024 by Durham Regional Police on charges of fraud and money laundering related to investor funds. Pleterski’s trial is scheduled for October in Toronto.
