Ryan Wedding Faces U.S. Court After Surrendering to FBI
Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, recently pleaded not guilty to serious drug-related charges in a U.S. federal court located in Santa Ana, California. The 44-year-old athlete was apprehended in Mexico City and extradited to California. Law enforcement alleges that he led a significant cocaine smuggling operation in partnership with Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa Cartel.
Key Facts About Ryan Wedding’s Case
- Charges: Wedding faces multiple serious accusations, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to commit murder, and conspiracy to tamper with a witness.
- Drug Trafficking Network: He is said to have orchestrated the transportation of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from Colombia to the U.S. and Canada.
- Fatal Incidents: Prosecutors allege Wedding ordered drug-related murders, including that of a federal witness in Colombia.
- FBI’s Most Wanted: He was listed as one of the FBI’s “Top 10 Most Wanted” fugitives, with a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Arrest and Extradition
Wedding turned himself in at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City last week. He was subsequently flown to Southern California following a collaborative effort involving authorities from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
His attorney, Anthony Colombo, contended that Wedding was not in hiding. Instead, he claimed his client was living in Mexico. Colombo stated, “He was arrested. He did not surrender,” indicating a need for clarity regarding the circumstances of the arrest.
Court Proceedings
During the initial court hearing, Wedding appeared in “good spirits,” despite the serious charges he faces. He is set to return to court on February 11, with a trial date scheduled for March 24.
Potential Sentencing
If found guilty of the most serious charges, Ryan Wedding could be sentenced to life in prison. The prosecution’s strong stance on these allegations underscores the severity of the case against the former athlete.
