Brittney Griner's Russia detention: What Bill Richardson's involvement could mean for WNBA star

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Bill Richardson, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of New Mexico, will be working at the behest of Brittney Griner’s family to help secure her release, Fox News Digital confirmed Tuesday.

Griner was arrested in February after Russian officials claimed a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges containing oil derived from cannabis. Griner could face up to a decade in prison if she’s convicted. She’s expected to have a hearing in Russia on May 19.

Richardson’s involvement came at the same time the U.S. State Department said in a statement to Fox News Digital that Griner has been reclassified as being "wrongfully detained."

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Brittney Griner of USA during the Women's Semifinal Basketball game between United States and Serbia on day fourteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 6, 2021 in Saitama, Japan (Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

"The welfare and safety of U.S. citizens abroad is among the highest priorities of the U.S government," a State Department spokesperson said. "The Department of State has determined that the Russian Federation has wrongfully detained U.S. citizen Brittney Griner.

"With this determination, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will lead the interagency team for securing Brittney Griner’s release."

Griner’s Lindsay Kagawa Colas also released a statement on the WNBA star’s detention on Tuesday.

"Brittney has been detained for 75 days and our expectation is that the White House do whatever is necessary to bring her home," the statement to Fox News Digital read.

Richardson, who