The FBI has dramatically escalated its pursuit of former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, slapping him with serious new criminal charges and increasing the reward for his capture to a staggering $15 million.
From Olympic Glory to International Fugitive
Ryan Wedding, who once represented his country as an athlete, is now accused of leading a sophisticated billion-dollar drug smuggling operation. Federal authorities allege he didn't stop at narcotics trafficking, but also orchestrated multiple murders to protect his criminal enterprise.
The American snowboarder has been a wanted man since October 2024, when the FBI first issued a warrant for his arrest. His notoriety reached new heights in March when he earned a spot on the bureau's prestigious Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Escalating Charges and Growing Reward
This week marked a significant escalation in the case when US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a sweeping set of new charges against Wedding. The fresh allegations include:
- Witness tampering and intimidation
- Murder
- Money laundering
- Drug trafficking
Simultaneously, the FBI increased the reward for information leading to Wedding's arrest from $10 million to $15 million, demonstrating the seriousness with which authorities are treating his case and their determination to bring him to justice.
International Manhunt Intensifies
The substantial reward increase suggests investigators believe Wedding has managed to evade capture through sophisticated means, possibly involving international connections or hidden financial resources. The case represents one of the most dramatic falls from grace in recent memory, transforming an Olympic athlete into one of America's most sought-after alleged criminals.
Authorities continue their global search for Wedding, urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation develops further.
