Pleterski said fear of being imprisoned with his kidnappers had impaired his concentration and sleep. He described fear, stress and uncertainty that continued to affect his well-being, alongside concerns for his family’s safety.
He said he attended court alone and found the emotional consequences difficult to explain to people who had not experienced them. He hoped to one day move forward without continually looking over his shoulder.
Sentencing Requests Span 12 to 23 Years
His statement formed part of sentencing submissions for Deren Akyeam-Pong, who pleaded guilty last October to nine kidnapping-related charges, including kidnapping, assault and firearms offenses.
Crown prosecutor Tracey Vogel requested 23 years for the kidnapping conviction and a separate conviction involving eight gun and drug offenses. Defense lawyer Craig Zeeh sought 12 years.
According to a statement from Akyeam-Pong, Pleterski expected to meet a potential investor on December 5, 2022. A gun was pressed into his ribs in the backseat of a Toronto pickup truck. He was held for three days and moved between multiple locations in southern Ontario. His captors waterboarded him, burned him with cigarettes, and beat him with golf clubs.
The kidnapping sentencing and Pleterski’s ongoing fraud trial remain separate legal proceedings. While prosecutors seek a 23-year sentence for Akyeam-Pong, Pleterski continues to defend himself against fraud and money laundering charges, having pleaded not guilty.
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