The FBI has increased bounty on Olympian-turned-alleged drug kingpin Ryan Wedding, from $10 million to $15 million.
Once an Olympian known for speed, grace, and gold medals, Ryan Wedding apparently decided to trade in the podium for a life of alleged crime. Yes, you read that right. The FBI just announced a $15 million bounty on the athlete, now accused of running a massive drug operation. Suddenly, “going for the gold” has a whole new meaning.
He has been wanted by the FBI, who previously offered a $10m reward for his arrest before it was increased to $15m this week, since October 2024.
On Wednesday, US attorney general Pam Bondi announced new charges against Wedding, 43, for witness tampering and intimidation, murder, money laundering and drug trafficking.
The press conference was held less than 24 hours after the case took a twist on Tuesday night, with Canadian police arresting a crime figure in connection with the assassination of a crucial witness.
That is according to La Presse, who revealed that 40-year-old Atna Onha – allegedly nicknamed Tupac – had been detained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on the behest of the FBI.
$15 million is not pocket change. That’s bigger than some NBA contracts. Bigger than most countries’ sports budgets. Bigger than my student loan debt. Clearly, the FBI isn’t joking. This isn’t “lost your wallet” territory, this is international-level “please help us find this guy” territory.
At the end of the day, Ryan Wedding’s story is a cautionary tale: fame and talent don’t guarantee good life choices. You can go from standing on a podium with national anthems playing to being on the FBI’s radar faster than you can say “track and field.”
Now all eyes are on him. Will he turn himself in? Stay on the run? It’s a matter of time.
