The Green Lake Kayaker who faked his death and fled the country has been convicted.
Court records show that 45-year-old Ryan Borgwardt appeared in court yesterday for a plea and sentencing hearing as he faced one count of Obstructing an Officer for a string of actions last year.
Borgwardt was convicted of the lone charge he faced yesterday, due to a no-contest plea after initially pleading not guilty in December of last year.
As a result, Green Lake County Judge Mark Slate sentenced the 45-year-old to spend 89 days in jail and to pay $30,000 in restitution.
In August of 2024, the Green Lake Sheriff’s Office said the Borgwardt faked his own death under the guise of a kayaking accident.
It was learned that he staged his disappearance by leaving behind his kayak, vehicle, and personal items.
He would then use an e-bike, a bus, and eventually a plane to escape, making it as far as Uzbekistan before the Green Lake County Sheriff’s Office made contact with him overseas.
