Akil Heywood, an investor of Aiden Pleterski, also known as the “Crypto King,” is facing additional charges, including allegedly interfering in a co-accused individual’s case. Heywood, aged 42, invested a substantial sum with Pleterski and was recently charged with attempting to obstruct Deren Akyeam-Pong, who had already pleaded guilty in the kidnapping case, from providing evidence in a legal proceeding on November 3, 2025.
On the same day, an Ontario Superior Court judge lifted a temporary publication ban related to Akyeam-Pong’s admission of guilt in Pleterski’s kidnapping incident in 2022. Akyeam-Pong confessed to nine charges, including kidnapping, assault, and gun-related offenses in October 2025. Heywood, through his legal representative, chose not to comment on the new charge against him.
Among Heywood’s recent allegations is his involvement in fleeing the scene of a street racing accident in Scarborough, where four individuals, including an infant, were injured. Toronto law enforcement stated that Heywood was driving a green Lamborghini SUV engaged in a race with a Mercedes, which led to the Mercedes losing control and colliding with a truck. Heywood faces charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, failure to stop at the accident site, and participation in stunt racing.
Heywood was apprehended in July 2023 for his alleged role in Pleterski’s kidnapping and was subsequently released on bail. None of the charges against Heywood have been proven in court. His trial for the kidnapping and attempted extortion of Pleterski is slated for November alongside two other defendants.
Despite numerous attempts, Heywood’s attorney, Domenic Basile, did not provide any comments. Heywood has maintained his innocence in connection to the kidnapping, as previously communicated to CBC News.
Aiden Pleterski’s harrowing experience began on December 5, 2022, when he believed he was meeting a potential investor but was instead ambushed and held at gunpoint in a pickup truck in Toronto. The abduction, allegedly orchestrated by Heywood, turned into a three-day ordeal during which Pleterski was subjected to threats, torture, including waterboarding, cigarette burns, and physical abuse using golf clubs, before eventually being released in downtown Toronto.
Since the summer of 2022, CBC News has extensively covered Pleterski’s story, starting from his bankruptcy forced by some investors. At the time of his kidnapping, Pleterski was embroiled in bankruptcy proceedings aiming to recover over $40 million invested in cryptocurrency and foreign currencies, with only a fraction of that amount recouped for approximately 160 investors. Heywood’s motive for the kidnapping was to reclaim what he believed was owed to him, offering payment to Akyeam-Pong and two others to execute the abduction, as outlined in the agreed statement of facts in Akyeam-Pong’s case.
In May 2024, Pleterski was arrested on charges of fraud and money laundering by Durham Regional Police related to the investor funds. These charges are yet to be tried in court, with Pleterski’s trial scheduled for October in Toronto.