Ryan Wedding, Olympic snowboarder-turned-alleged drug kingpin, charged in death of federal witness

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding, who officials say runs one of the most violent drug-trafficking organizations in the world, faces new charges related to the murder of a federal witness in the case against him.

A former Olympic snowboarder, who officials say runs one of the most violent drug-trafficking organizations in the world, faces new charges related to the murder of a federal witness in the case against him.

Officials said Ryan James Wedding “placed a bounty” on the witness’ head “in the erroneous belief that the victim’s death would result in the dismissal of criminal charges against him and his international drug trafficking ring.” He is alleged to have used a Canadian website to post images of the witness and his wife to locate him, officials said at a news conference Wednesday.

The witness was fatally shot at a restaurant before he could testify against Wedding. In an indictment unsealed Wednesday, Wedding was charged with murder, witness tampering and intimidation, money laundering and drug trafficking.

The new indictment also addresses several other people, including a Canadian lawyer, who officials say were involved in the murder.

A surveillance photo of Ryan Wedding provided by the FBI.FBIThe State Department increased its reward from $10 million to $15 million for information that leads to the arrest and/or conviction of Wedding, who is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.