Investor Akil Heywood faces new charges for meddling in co-accused's case

Investor Akil Heywood, 42, who put hundreds of thousands of dollars into Aiden Pleterski’s crypto ventures, is slated to stand trial this November for the 2022 kidnapping of Pleterski. In addition to the kidnapping and attempted extortion charges, Heywood has now been charged with trying to dissuade Deren Akyeam-Pong, a co-accused who pleaded guilty, from giving evidence in a November 3, 2025 hearing. The same day a temporary publication ban on the agreed statement of facts was lifted by an Ontario Superior Court judge.

Heywood also faces separate accusations stemming from a street-racing incident in Scarborough that left four injured, among them an infant, leading to dangerous-driving and hit-and-run charges. He was arrested for the kidnapping in July 2023, released on bail, and has not yet faced trial on any of the charges. Pleterski, who claimed the kidnapping was meant to recover money he owed, is himself under fraud and money-laundering charges with a trial scheduled for October. Heywood’s attorney, Domenic Basile, declined to comment on the new allegation.