FORT WORTH, Tx - Five individuals have been federally indicted for their alleged roles in a sweeping $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving cattle purchase contracts, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
A federal grand jury in Fort Worth returned the indictment on February 11, 2026, charging the defendants with multiple counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering.
Those indicted include:
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Jed Wood of Fort Worth, Texas
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Joshua Link of Strafford, Missouri
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Tia Link of Smithton, Missouri
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Taylor Bang of Kildeer, North Dakota
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Royana Thomas of Arlington, Texas
According to the indictment, the five were associated with Agridime LLC, a Fort Worth-based company that marketed cattle sales, meat processing, and retail services. Wood allegedly served as operations director, Joshua Link as executive director, Tia Link as marketing director, Bang as a cattle broker, and Thomas as financial controller.
Prosecutors allege that from January 2021 through December 2023, the defendants falsely represented to investors, ranchers, and feedlots that funds would be used to purchase specific cattle on behalf of individual buyers. The cattle would then be raised and processed, with profits returned to investors from the sale of meat tied to those specific animals.
Instead, according to the indictment, the defendants allegedly used funds from newer investors to pay earlier investors, cover operating expenses, fund personal purchases, and acquire real estate. Authorities allege more than 2,200 victims across the United States were defrauded of over $220 million.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould said, “Thousands of unwitting investors, ranchers, and others in the cattle industry nationwide were drawn in and victimized by the defendants’ multi-million dollar scheme alleged in this indictment. My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”
FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock stated that the defendants allegedly used false promises to lure clients before misappropriating their funds for personal enrichment. He noted that Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive and asked the public to contact the FBI with any information regarding his whereabouts.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud count, up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and up to 10 years for each money laundering count.
Tia Link and Taylor Bang appeared for arraignment in Fort Worth and were released under pretrial supervision. Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are scheduled to appear for arraignment on February 25, 2026. Joshua Robert Link remains at large.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency with assistance from the USDA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald is prosecuting the case.
