A new set of charges has been laid against Akil Heywood, an investor of self-proclaimed “Crypto King” Aiden Pleterski, who is facing trial for allegedly orchestrating Pleterski’s kidnapping. Heywood, aged 42, has been accused of a dozen more offenses, including tampering with a co-accused individual’s case. The charges stem from allegations that Heywood attempted to obstruct Deren Akyeam-Pong, who had previously pleaded guilty in the kidnapping case, from providing evidence in a legal proceeding on November 3, 2025.
On the same day that a temporary publication ban was lifted by an Ontario Superior Court judge regarding Akyeam-Pong’s guilty plea in Pleterski’s 2022 kidnapping case, Heywood faced these new charges. Akyeam-Pong, who admitted guilt to nine charges including kidnapping, assault, and gun-related offenses in October 2025, chose not to comment on the recent charge against Heywood through his legal representative.
Among Heywood’s recent charges is his alleged involvement in fleeing the scene of a street racing collision in Scarborough last month, resulting in injuries to four individuals, including an infant. Toronto police disclosed that Heywood was driving a green Lamborghini SUV engaged in a race with a Mercedes, which subsequently collided with a truck. Heywood is facing charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failure to stop at the crash scene, and stunt racing.
Heywood was arrested in July 2023 in connection with Pleterski’s kidnapping but was later released on bail. None of the charges against him have been subjected to legal examination. His trial, alongside two other defendants, for the kidnapping and attempted extortion of Pleterski is slated for November.
Despite requests for comment, Heywood’s lawyer, Domenic Basile, has not responded. Previously, Heywood asserted his innocence concerning the kidnapping allegations in statements to CBC News.
The kidnapping of Pleterski unfolded on December 5, 2022, where he was led to believe he was meeting a potential investor, only to have a gun pressed against him in the back of a pickup truck in Toronto. Heywood allegedly orchestrated the abduction, initiating a harrowing three-day ordeal during which Pleterski was subjected to threats at gunpoint and torture, including waterboarding, cigarette burns, and beatings with golf clubs, as he was transported between various locations in southern Ontario before being eventually released in downtown Toronto.
Following a series of CBC News reports starting in the summer of 2022, shedding light on Pleterski’s financial troubles and bankruptcy due to some investors, it was revealed that he had received over $40 million from investors for cryptocurrency and foreign currency investments. The bankruptcy proceedings have only managed to recover around $3 million for approximately 160 investors, with an audit discovering that Pleterski had spent $16 million on personal expenses.
Heywood’s motive for the kidnapping was reportedly to reclaim the money he believed was owed to him, offering compensation to Akyeam-Pong and two others to carry out the abduction, as outlined in the agreed statement of facts related to Akyeam-Pong’s case.
In a separate legal development, Pleterski was apprehended by Durham Regional Police in May 2024 and charged with fraud and money laundering linked to the funds obtained from investors, with these charges awaiting court proceedings. Pleterski’s trial is scheduled for October in Toronto.
