Wade Woelfel of Moose Lake, Minnesota is a former online poker pro who’s also racked up hundreds of thousands in live tournament winnings. Now, he faces dire consequences after being charged with third-degree murder earlier this year.
In Minnesota, third-degree murder occurs when someone is killed without direct intent or premeditation. Punishment may include up to 25 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.
History of Illegal Narcotics
According to CBS Minnesota WCCO-TV, court documents filed last week in Blue Earth County allege Woelfel sold drugs that led to the fatal overdose of 44-year-old Bryan Marconcini on October 8, 2021. According to court documents, Marconcini “had addiction issues with illegal narcotics” and was found unresponsive in a bathroom by his girlfriend, who called 911. Unfortunately, Marconcini was pronounced dead at the scene with a later autopsy revealing several drugs in his system including meth, fentanyl, and amphetamine.
Information provided by Marconcini’s girlfriend pointed authorities to Woelfel, who was “known to agents as both a user and a seller of narcotics.” After surveillance video showed Marconcini and Woelfel meeting and completing a drug deal, as well as incriminating text messages, authorities set up a sting using an informant.
When he was arrested, Woelfel had various drugs, a digital scale, and drug paraphernalia. According to the Mankato Free Press, Woelfel got into trouble back in 2016 when agents of Homeland Security intercepted a mail package addressed to Woelfel containing more than 100 pills of Ecstasy.
The package, which was intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Control at a New York airport, led to a warrant for Woelfel’s place in Minnesota, which according to a complaint busted him in the process of ordering cocaine and prescription meds online. At the time, he was charged with six felonies related to drug possession.
Promising Poker Career
While Woelfel has more than $600,000 in live tournament earnings dating back to 2006 according to the Hendon Mob, his last cash of $6,848 came back in 2016 when he finished third in the Canterbury Park Fall Poker Classic Event #15: $340 No-Limit Hold’em. His best-ever score came in December 2012 when he finished runner-up in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit Atlantic City $1,675 Main Event for $120,018.
“So insane. I remember sharing a room three ways with him & another at PCA Bahamas over 12 years ago when we were all coming up just trying to save some loot,” poker pro Faraz Jaka tweeted in response to the news. “He was ‘SoggyDog/SoggyVag’ online, he was a good dude back then. Hadn't talked to him in over a decade crazy to hear this.”
According to news reports, Woelfel is currently being held at Minnesota Correctional Facility after violating his conditions of release from a prior drug conviction and will appear in court on the new murder charge in the near future.
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