A new wave of charges has been laid against Akil Heywood, an investor of self-proclaimed “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski, who is facing trial for allegedly masterminding Pleterski’s kidnapping. Heywood, 42, is now accused of a dozen additional offenses, including allegedly tampering with a co-accused individual’s legal case.
Court records indicate that Heywood, who had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars with Pleterski, was charged last month for attempting to obstruct Deren Akyeam-Pong, the individual who previously pleaded guilty in the kidnapping case, from providing testimony in a legal proceeding on November 3, 2025. This date coincides with the lifting of a temporary publication ban by an Ontario Superior Court judge on the agreed statement of facts related to Akyeam-Pong’s guilty plea concerning Pleterski’s 2022 kidnapping.
Akyeam-Pong admitted guilt to nine charges, including kidnapping, assault, and firearm-related offenses, in October 2025. Heywood faces additional charges for allegedly fleeing the scene of a street racing incident in Scarborough last month, resulting in injuries to four individuals, including an infant. Toronto police reported that Heywood was involved in a street race driving a green Lamborghini SUV against a Mercedes, which led to a collision with a truck. Charges against Heywood include dangerous driving causing bodily harm, leaving the scene of an accident, and engaging in stunt racing.
Heywood was initially arrested in July 2023 for Pleterski’s kidnapping and later released on bail. None of the charges against Heywood have been tried in court, and his trial, alongside two other accused, is scheduled for November regarding the kidnapping and attempted extortion of Pleterski.
Despite numerous attempts, Heywood’s lawyer, Domenic Basile, has not provided any comments, while Heywood has maintained his innocence concerning the kidnapping allegations.
The kidnapping incident involving Pleterski took place on December 5, 2022, when he believed he was meeting a potential investor but ended up being held at gunpoint in a pickup truck in Toronto. This abduction, allegedly orchestrated by Heywood, led to a three-day-long ordeal during which Pleterski was threatened, tortured, and subjected to waterboarding, cigarette burns, and physical assaults with golf clubs before being released in downtown Toronto.
Pleterski’s financial troubles and legal entanglements began in the summer of 2022 after facing bankruptcy due to actions by some investors. He had been in the midst of a bankruptcy proceeding seeking to recover over $40 million invested in cryptocurrency and foreign currencies, with only around $3 million being reclaimed for about 160 investors. Heywood’s involvement in the kidnapping was reportedly driven by attempts to recoup money he believed he was owed, as detailed in the agreed statement of facts in Akyeam-Pong’s case.
Pleterski was subsequently arrested in May 2024 by Durham Regional Police on charges of fraud and money laundering related to funds obtained from investors, although these charges have yet to be adjudicated. His trial is scheduled for October in Toronto.