Ryan Wedding trial postponed to 2027 in California

A federal court in California has postponed the trial of Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic athlete, until October 26, 2027. Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett granted the delay, describing the case as “unusual and complex” due to the nature of the charges and the number of individuals involved. The court noted that the defense requires additional time to prepare adequately.

Wedding faces serious federal charges, including leading a criminal organization, drug trafficking, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit murder. U.S. authorities allege he headed an international drug trafficking structure with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.

Wedding was apprehended in Mexico earlier this year. There are conflicting accounts regarding his arrest: the FBI describes it as a joint operation between Mexican and U.S. authorities, while the Mexican government maintains he surrendered voluntarily under pressure from security agencies. The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, supported the version of a voluntary surrender. Prior to his arrest, Wedding was listed among the FBI's ten most wanted fugitives, with a reward of up to $15 million offered for information leading to his capture.