The $10 Million Man: 5 Most Shocking Fugitives On The FBI's Ten Most Wanted List For 2025

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list remains the most notorious compilation of wanted criminals in the world, representing individuals charged with the most heinous crimes, from murder and drug trafficking to terrorism and transnational crime. As of today, December 10, 2025, the list showcases a chilling lineup of high-stakes cases, with the newest additions highlighting the FBI's focus on transnational criminal enterprises and violent offenders who pose an immediate threat to global security.

This exclusive list is not merely a roll call; it’s a living document that has led to the capture of hundreds of dangerous individuals since its inception in 1950. The current roster features a mix of long-term disappearances and shocking new entries, with bounties reaching as high as $10 million. Understanding these cases is crucial, as the next tip that leads to a capture could come from an informed citizen—perhaps even you.

The Current Roster: A Chilling Look at the FBI's Top Targets

The selection process for the Ten Most Wanted list is rigorous, reserved only for fugitives who have committed a series of particularly atrocious crimes and who are considered an extreme flight risk. Placement on this list is approved by the FBI Director, and it immediately elevates the case to a global priority. The current list for 2025 includes a diverse group of individuals, with rewards varying based on the severity and nature of the crimes, often starting at $100,000 and escalating significantly.

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Here are five of the most prominent and high-stakes fugitives currently on the list, including the newest addition:

1. Ryan James Wedding: The $10 Million Olympian Fugitive

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Ryan James Wedding
• Date Added: March 2025
• Wanted For: Allegedly running and participating in a transnational drug trafficking operation, ordering murder, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and money laundering.
• Reward: Up to $10,000,000
• Distinguishing Feature: Former Olympic snowboarder and Canadian national.

Ryan James Wedding’s addition to the list in March 2025 sent shockwaves through the international community. Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder, is wanted for allegedly leading a massive transnational drug trafficking operation that shipped hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. The case highlights the FBI's increasing focus on sophisticated criminal enterprises that cross international borders.

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His alleged crimes include ordering the murder of a rival, making his case one of the most violent and high-profile additions in recent history. The staggering $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest is among the highest ever offered by the FBI, underscoring the severity of the charges and the priority placed on his capture.

2. Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores: The Mexican Drug Kingpin

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Fausto Isidro Meza-Flores
• Date Added: May 2017 (Long-term fugitive)
• Wanted For: Drug trafficking, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and money laundering.
• Reward: Up to $5,000,000
• Alias: "El Chapo Isidro"

Meza-Flores is a powerful figure in the Sinaloa drug cartel, often referred to as "El Chapo Isidro." His criminal organization, the Meza-Flores Transnational Criminal Organization, is responsible for the distribution of massive quantities of illegal drugs into the United States. He represents the ongoing battle between U.S. law enforcement and the powerful Mexican cartels, a key focus area for the FBI and the DEA.

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His case is a prime example of a long-term, high-value target where a substantial reward is necessary to penetrate the layers of protection afforded by a vast criminal network.

3. Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel: The Ten-Year Disappearance

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel
• Date Added: April 2015
• Wanted For: First-degree murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP).
• Reward: Up to $250,000
• Last Known Location: Baltimore, Maryland.

Patel’s case is one of the most chilling on the list due to the nature of the crime and his complete disappearance. He is wanted for the brutal murder of his wife, Palak Patel, at a Dunkin' Donuts where they both worked in Hanover, Maryland, in April 2015. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Patel leaving the scene shortly after the crime, and he has not been seen since.

His decade-long evasion of capture has made him a symbol of the FBI's persistent pursuit of violent domestic offenders. The reward of $250,000 is a standard high-tier bounty for a violent crime, and the ongoing publicity aims to generate a lead from someone who may unknowingly be living near him.

4. Alejandro Rosales Castillo: The Youngest Fugitive

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Alejandro Rosales Castillo
• Date Added: October 2017
• Wanted For: Murder and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP).
• Reward: Up to $250,000
• Victim: Truc Quan “Sandy” Ly Le, a former co-worker.

Alejandro Rosales Castillo was added to the list in 2017 for the 2016 murder of his former co-worker, Truc Quan “Sandy” Ly Le, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Castillo, who was only 18 at the time of the crime, allegedly stole money from the victim before fleeing to Mexico.

His case highlights the tragic intersection of violent crime and international escape. The FBI believes he may be hiding in San Francisco de Asís, Jalisco, or Pavelló de Arteaga, Aguascalientes, Mexico. His inclusion ensures that the search is not only a national priority but also a matter of international cooperation.

5. Wilver Villegas-Palomino: The ELN Terrorist Leader

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Wilver Villegas-Palomino
• Date Added: February 2020
• Wanted For: Narco-terrorism, international cocaine distribution conspiracy, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution (UFAP).
• Reward: Up to $5,000,000
• Affiliation: Leader in the National Liberation Army (ELN), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Villegas-Palomino is a high-ranking leader in the National Liberation Army (ELN), a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) operating primarily in Colombia and Venezuela. His addition to the list signifies the fusion of drug trafficking with terrorism, a critical threat to U.S. national security. He is specifically wanted for his role in a massive narco-terrorism conspiracy.

His case, along with others like him, falls under the umbrella of both the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list, illustrating the multi-faceted nature of modern criminal threats. The $5 million reward reflects the threat level associated with a terrorist organization leader.

The Impact and Topical Authority of the FBI's Most Wanted Lists

The "Ten Most Wanted" program, established by J. Edgar Hoover, has been incredibly successful, resulting in the capture or location of over 500 fugitives since 1950. The list serves as a powerful public awareness tool, turning every citizen into a potential partner in law enforcement.

Beyond the famous list, the FBI maintains several specialized "Most Wanted" lists that provide crucial topical authority and focus on specific criminal enterprises. These lists help the agency prioritize and allocate resources to threats ranging from violent crime to sophisticated cyber-attacks:

• FBI Most Wanted Terrorists: This list targets individuals involved in both international and domestic terrorism, often featuring the largest bounties, sometimes exceeding $25 million.
• Cyber's Most Wanted: A list dedicated to cybercriminals who commit high-level computer intrusions, fraud, and intellectual property theft, a growing area of federal concern.
• Crimes Against Children: Focusing on individuals wanted for sexual exploitation and abuse of minors, often involving fugitives who have fled across state or international lines.
• White-Collar Crime: High-profile cases of corporate fraud, embezzlement, and public corruption that cause significant economic damage.

The inclusion of fugitives like Ryan James Wedding and Wilver Villegas-Palomino demonstrates a clear shift in focus toward Violent Crime and Major Thefts Most Wanted, transnational crime, and narco-terrorism. The massive bounties, which are handled by the Fugitive Task Force, are a direct incentive for anonymous tips, which have historically been the key to many captures.

How to Report Information and Claim a Bounty

The success of the FBI Ten Most Wanted list hinges entirely on public cooperation. The agency stresses that all information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, can be the missing piece of the puzzle. If you have information regarding any of the fugitives on this list, or any other FBI Most Wanted individual, you should take the following steps:

• Do Not Approach: These individuals are considered armed and extremely dangerous. Do not attempt to apprehend them yourself.
• Contact the FBI Immediately: All tips should be reported directly to the FBI. You can contact your local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
• Use the Tip Line: The FBI has a dedicated tip line and online submission form for most wanted fugitives, ensuring anonymity.

The rewards, such as the $10 million bounty for Ryan James Wedding, are paid upon the arrest and/or conviction of the fugitive. Your information could not only remove a dangerous criminal from the streets but also earn you a substantial, life-changing reward. The FBI’s commitment to these Unsolved Cases ensures that the hunt for these top criminals remains a constant, global priority in 2025.