FIVE INDICTED IN ALLEGED $220 MILLION NATIONWIDE CATTLE FRAUD SCHEME; ONE DEFENDANT REMAINS FUGITIVE

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Texas has returned an indictment charging five individuals in connection with an alleged $220 million nationwide fraud scheme involving cattle purchase contracts and related investment representations. One of the charged defendants remains a fugitive and is listed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation wanted list.

The indictment, returned in Fort Worth on February 11, 2026, alleges that the defendants operated through Agridime LLC, a Fort Worth–based company that marketed cattle sales, meat processing, and retail services to investors and industry participants across the United States.

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Defendants Charged

The following individuals were charged:

• Jed Wood, of Fort Worth, Texas, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering, including a transaction involving more than $63,000 described as a “Home Payoff.”
• Joshua Robert Link, of Strafford, Missouri, charged with ten counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering, including transactions totaling more than $527,000 for the purchase of real property.
• Tia Link, of Smithton, Missouri, charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering tied to the same real property transactions.
• Taylor Bang, of Kildeer, North Dakota, charged with eight counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.
• Royana Thomas, of Arlington, Texas, charged with six counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of money laundering.

According to prosecutors, the five defendants held leadership or operational roles within Agridime LLC. Wood allegedly served as Operations Director. Joshua Link allegedly served as Executive Director. Tia Link allegedly served as Marketing Director. Bang allegedly operated as a cattle broker, and Thomas allegedly functioned as financial controller.

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Alleged Scheme Structure

The indictment alleges that from January 2021 through December 2023, the defendants solicited funds from individual investors, ranchers, and feedlot operators by representing that Agridime would purchase specific cattle on behalf of each investor, raise those cattle, process the meat, and sell it for profit.

Prosecutors allege that the promised individualized cattle purchases did not occur as represented. Instead, newer investor funds were allegedly used to pay operating expenses, satisfy obligations to earlier investors, fund personal expenditures, and purchase real property.

The government alleges that more than 2,200 victims nationwide invested funds based on representations made in marketing materials and private communications. Total alleged losses exceed $220 million.

Wire fraud statutes are commonly used in interstate fraud schemes where electronic communications or financial transfers are employed to solicit or move funds. Conspiracy charges address coordinated planning among multiple individuals to execute the alleged scheme. Money laundering counts focus on financial transactions involving proceeds of specified unlawful activity, particularly where funds are routed to obscure origin or used to acquire assets.

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Fugitive Status

Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive. The FBI has requested public assistance in locating him. Information regarding his status is available through the Bureau’s wanted portal.

Fugitive investigations typically involve coordination between federal task forces, financial tracking units, and interstate law enforcement partners. Individuals who remain at large following indictment may face additional legal exposure if efforts are made to evade apprehension.

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Court Proceedings

Tia Link and Taylor Bang appeared before a United States Magistrate Judge in Fort Worth and were released under pretrial supervision. Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are scheduled to appear for arraignment on February 25, 2026. Link has not appeared and remains sought by federal authorities.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Each money laundering count carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years. Final sentencing determinations will be made by the court following application of federal sentencing guidelines.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency with assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. Prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.

An indictment is an allegation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in federal court.

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