A Strafford man is now listed as a fugitive after being federally indicted in connection with what prosecutors describe as a $220 million nationwide cattle fraud scheme that affected thousands of victims across the United States.
Joshua Robert Link of Strafford was one of five individuals indicted Feb. 11 by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth, Texas, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas. Link is charged with ten counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and two counts of money laundering. Federal authorities say Link has not been taken into custody and remains at large.
The indictment alleges the scheme was carried out through Agridime LLC, a Fort Worth based company that marketed cattle investment contracts to individuals nationwide. Prosecutors say the company claimed investor funds would be used to purchase specific cattle, raise them, and sell the meat for profit.
Instead, authorities allege the funds were misused.
According to court documents, investigators believe more than $220 million was fraudulently collected from more than 2,200 victims between January 2021 and December 2023. The indictment states that newer investor funds were allegedly used to pay operating expenses, satisfy earlier investor obligations, cover personal expenses, and purchase real estate.
Link is accused of wiring more than $527,000 in investor funds to purchase real property. Federal officials say he served as the company’s executive director.
“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 in a statement.
Federal Bureau of Investigation officials confirmed that Link is now considered a fugitive and are asking for the public’s help in locating him.
“The defendants allegedly used false promises to lure prospective clients into their scheme and then misappropriated client funds to enrich themselves,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “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.”
Four other individuals were also indicted in the case, including Jed Wood of Fort Worth, Texas; Tia Link of Smithton, Missouri; Taylor Bang of Kildeer, North Dakota; and Royana Thomas of Arlington, Texas. Several of the co-defendants have already appeared in federal court and were released under pretrial supervision.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and conspiracy charge, along with up to 10 years for each money laundering count.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Fort Worth Resident Agency with assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark McDonald.
Anyone with information regarding Joshua Robert Link’s whereabouts is asked to contact the FBI.
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