U.S. prosecutors are seeking additional protections to keep hidden the identities of confidential informants and cooperating witnesses in the case against Ryan James Wedding, as the search for the former Canadian Olympian and alleged drug trafficker continues.
In a recent court document obtained by CTV News Toronto, prosecutors in the Central District of California say they are seeking to produce additional discovery pieces, containing the “personal identity information” of those individuals, the unauthorized dissemination of which could expose them to “Risks.” potential for security.
“These concerns are especially relevant here. “This is a complex case involving a sophisticated drug trafficking organization, whose leaders have shown a callous disregard for human life, including, as charged in the previous indictment, the deployment of hitmen to execute alleged rivals or enemies,” reads the court file.
The former Olympic snowboarder and his alleged second-in-command, Canadian Andrew Clark, are charged with four murders and one attempted murder in connection with the operation of what officials have described as a multinational drug trafficking ring that transported 1,800 kilograms of cocaine through Colombia, Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The murders include the murder of a couple on Nov. 20, 2023, in Caledon in an incident that investigators say was a case of mistaken identity.
Wedding and Clark also face charges in connection with homicides in Brampton and Niagara Falls.
In an indictment made public in October, U.S. District Attorney Martín Estrada said the “Olympic athlete turned drug trafficker” contracted out the murders linked to the alleged drug ring to “insulate himself” from criminal activity.
Ryan James Wedding is shown on the left in an image released by the FBI. The image on the right shows Wedding competing in the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
Wedding, 43, is still at large and is believed to reside in Mexico at the time of writing. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for his arrest. Clark, along with 13 other suspects, including 8 other Canadians, are currently in custody. Another suspect remains outstanding.
As such, the court filing noted that Wedding likely still has access to the media of the encrypted messaging system and the “network of hitmen” who carried out the murders.
“Given these demonstrated risks in this case, if any, witness safety and information security must be paramount as the case moves toward trial,” the court filing states.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
