A new set of charges has been laid against one of Aiden Pleterski’s investors, Akil Heywood, who is facing trial for allegedly orchestrating the kidnapping of the self-proclaimed “Crypto King” later this year. Heywood, aged 42, invested a substantial sum with Pleterski and was recently charged with multiple offenses, including allegedly interfering in a co-accused individual’s case.
Court records indicate that Heywood was charged last month with attempting to dissuade Deren Akyeam-Pong, who had pleaded guilty in the kidnapping case, from providing evidence in a judicial proceeding scheduled for November 3, 2025. This date coincided with the removal of a temporary publication ban on the agreed statement of facts related to Akyeam-Pong’s guilty plea for Pleterski’s 2022 abduction.
Akyeam-Pong, who admitted to nine charges, including kidnapping and assault in October 2025, declined to comment on the fresh charge against Heywood through his legal representative. Additional recent charges against Heywood involve his alleged involvement in a hit-and-run incident during a street race in Scarborough, resulting in injuries to four individuals, including an infant. Heywood faces charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, leaving the scene of a crash, and participating in stunt racing.
Heywood was initially arrested for Pleterski’s kidnapping in July 2023 and was subsequently released on bail. The charges against Heywood have not yet been adjudicated, and his trial for the kidnapping and attempted extortion of Pleterski is slated for November alongside two other accused individuals. Heywood’s lawyer, Domenic Basile, did not respond to requests for comment, while Heywood has maintained his innocence in relation to the kidnapping allegations.
The kidnapping incident involving Pleterski transpired on December 5, 2022, when he believed he was meeting a potential investor, only to be abducted at gunpoint in Toronto. The abduction, allegedly orchestrated by Heywood, led to a three-day ordeal during which Pleterski was subjected to threats, torture, including waterboarding, cigarette burns, and beatings with golf clubs, before being released in downtown Toronto.
Pleterski’s financial troubles came to the fore in the summer of 2022 when he faced bankruptcy initiated by some of his investors seeking the recovery of over $40 million invested in cryptocurrency and foreign currencies. Despite efforts, only around $3 million has been reclaimed for approximately 160 investors through bankruptcy proceedings, which also revealed that Pleterski had spent $16 million on personal expenses.
Heywood’s involvement in the kidnapping was allegedly driven by his efforts to recoup perceived debts owed to him by Pleterski, offering compensation to Akyeam-Pong and two others to carry out the kidnapping, according to the agreed statement of facts in Akyeam-Pong’s case. In a separate development, Pleterski was arrested in May 2024 on fraud and money laundering charges linked to investor funds, which are yet to be adjudicated. Pleterski’s trial is scheduled for October in Toronto.