The post Accomplice pleads guilty in violent abduction of Ontario’s ‘Crypto King’ appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

Deren Akyeam-Pong pleaded guilty to kidnapping and torturing Ontario’s self-proclaimed “Crypto King,” Aiden Pleterski, in a violent abduction in December 2022. Last week, Deren Akyeam-Pong admitted in court that he and others kidnapped Pleterski in Toronto and held him captive between Dec. 5 and Dec. 8, 2022. This is the time when a video circulated on the internet of a beaten Pleterski apologizing to investors, who lost a total of $40 million. According to reports, Deren Akyeam-Pong admitted to nine charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, discharge of a firearm, possession of a restricted firearm, unlawful possession of a prohibited device, pointing a firearm, and two counts of failing to comply with firearm prohibitions. However, the details of his plea remain under a temporary publication ban. Crypto King’s guilty plea delays trial of two other suspects Akyeam-Pong’s plea was unexpected and has resulted in a significant turning point in a case that has drawn international attention, largely due to Pleterski’s extravagant lifestyle. Akyeam-Pong was set to stand trial this month with Akil Heywood, who invested a large sum of money and is involved in Pleterski’s bankruptcy proceedings, and Alfredo Paladino.  Akil Heywood faces three kidnapping and two extortion charges, and maintains his innocence. Co-defendant Alfredo Paladino faces similar kidnapping, extortion, firearm, and assault charges. Another alleged kidnapper is set to go on trial early next year. As a result of the plea, the trial judge agreed with defence lawyers Hussein Aly, who represents Heywood, and Leora Shemesh, Paladino’s counsel, who asked for an adjournment given the change in the case. A future trial date has not been set. However, Justice Shin will conduct a hearing at the end of the month, where she will be asked to lift the temporary publication ban, which the Toronto Star opposes.…

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Filed under: News - @ October 15, 2025 7:28 pm