Former Olympian Pleads Not Guilty to Drug Trafficking, Murder Charges

Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, faces 17 felony counts in a sweeping criminal case.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:23am

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Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Games, pleaded not guilty to 17 felony counts tied to a criminal case that includes allegations of drug distribution, witness interference, and conspiracy to murder. Wedding was arrested in Mexico last week and extradited to the U.S. to face the charges.

Why it matters

The case against Wedding highlights the growing problem of drug trafficking and associated violence, even among former elite athletes. The allegations that he ordered multiple killings connected to the drug trade and tried to interfere with witnesses raise serious concerns about public safety and the reach of transnational criminal organizations.

The details

Federal prosecutors first charged Wedding in 2024, accusing him of leading a wide-ranging criminal operation that included drug trafficking and murder. Authorities allege he ordered the killings of two members of a Canadian family following a stolen drug shipment, as well as a separate murder connected to an unpaid drug debt. The case expanded last year when prosecutors added allegations that Wedding arranged for the killing of a witness in Colombia in an effort to block his extradition to the U.S.

  • Wedding was arrested on Thursday in Mexico City and later transferred to U.S. custody.
  • Wedding pleaded not guilty to the charges on Monday in a U.S. courtroom in Orange County, California.
  • Wedding is scheduled to appear in court again on February 11, with a trial currently set for March 24.

The players

Ryan Wedding

A former Olympic snowboarder who competed in the 2002 Winter Games and is now accused of leading a wide-ranging criminal operation that included drug trafficking and murder.

John D. Early

The U.S. magistrate judge who presided over Wedding's arraignment.

Anthony Colombo

Wedding's attorney, who disputed the characterization of his client's arrest in Mexico.

Kash Patel

The FBI Director who described Wedding as "one of the world's most wanted criminals" at a press conference.

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What they’re saying

“He didn't surrender; he was apprehended, he was arrested. Any spin that the government of Mexico is putting on this, that he surrendered, is inaccurate.”

— Anthony Colombo, Wedding's attorney

“He's in good spirits. He's a strong, you know, he's a former Olympic athlete, which obviously takes a lot of mental toughness to participate in those type of games and at a high level, so he's in good spirits.”

— Anthony Colombo, Wedding's attorney

What’s next

The judge indicated that bond could be considered if Wedding requests it at a later date. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 11, with a trial currently set for March 24, though Colombo said the case is likely to involve a large amount of evidence, making it unlikely that the trial will proceed as planned in March.

The takeaway

This case highlights the troubling reality that even former elite athletes can become involved in serious criminal enterprises. It raises questions about how to prevent such individuals from turning to drug trafficking and violence after their athletic careers end, and how to hold them accountable for the harm they cause to communities.