Five people tied to a Fort Worth company were federally indicted in a scheme that allegedly siphoned more than $220 million from cattle buyers and investors across the United States, with one defendant still listed as a fugitive.
Federal prosecutors say the indictment returned by a Fort Worth grand jury on February 11, 2026, centers on Agridime LLC, a company that marketed cattle purchase contracts, meat processing, and retail services. Authorities allege the business promised buyers ownership of specific cattle and eventual meat sales, while instead diverting funds to cover operating costs, earlier obligations, personal expenses, and real estate purchases.
The charges target five individuals tied to Agridime and span wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering counts. The indictment covers conduct alleged to have taken place from January 2021 through December 2023 and names more than 2,200 victims nationwide as having been defrauded.
- 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 involving wiring more than $63,000 to a lender for “Home Payoff”
- Joshua 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 wiring more than $527,000 to purchase 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, including wiring more than $527,000 to purchase real property
- 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
Prosecutors say the defendants held specific roles within Agridime: Jed Wood as Operations Director, Joshua Link as Executive Director, Tia Link as Marketing Director, Taylor Bang as a cattle broker, and Royana Thomas as financial controller. The indictment details how those roles fit into the company’s recruitment and sales efforts directed at individual purchasers, ranchers, and feedlots.
“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,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “My office, in concert with our law enforcement partners, will hold these defendants accountable and pursue justice on behalf of the victims.”
“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves. One individual, Joshua Robert Link, remains a fugitive. We are asking the public to contact the FBI if they have any information regarding Link’s location,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock.
According to the indictment, Agridime represented that funds would purchase and care for identified cattle, that the animals would be raised and later sold, and that proceeds would return profits to those purchasers. The complaint alleges the defendants instead commingled and misused incoming purchaser funds, operating a classic Ponzi-style flow that relied on new money to cover earlier obligations and company spending.
Court filings assert the scheme fraudulently collected more than $220 million from over 2,200 individual victims across the country through public and private advertising and sales pitches. If convicted, the defendants face severe federal penalties, including up to twenty years in prison on each wire fraud count and up to ten years for each money laundering count, plus potential terms for the conspiracy charge.
Two defendants, Tia Link and Taylor Bang, appeared for arraignment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Fort Worth and were released under pretrial supervision. Jed Wood and Royana Thomas are scheduled to appear for arraignment in Fort Worth on February 25, 2026. Joshua Robert Link remains a fugitive and law enforcement continues to seek information about his whereabouts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Fort Worth Resident Agency led the investigation with assistance from the USDA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald is prosecuting the case on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
