KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Five people were indicted Wednesday in federal indictments, accused of participating in a $220 million national cattle fraud scheme.
Joshua Link, of Stratford, Missouri, and Tia Link, of Smithton, Missouri, were charged with multiple counts of wire fraud in connection with a scheme involving fraudulent cattle purchase contracts, court records show.
Belton police officer arrested and charged following sexual assault investigation
Joshua was charged with 10 counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and two counts of money laundering.
Tia was charged with three counts of wire fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
Records show the money laundering charges stem from the purchase of property for more than $527,000.
The indictment alleges that all five defendants participated in Agridime LLC, a Fort Worth, Texas-based company that provided cattle sales, meat processing and retail services. Joshua is still at largeserves as executive director and Tia serves as marketing director.
The indictment also alleges that the five defendants falsely represented to livestock buyers, ranchers and feedlots that Agridime would use their funds to purchase livestock for them, raise the livestock and ultimately sell the meat back to them at a profit.
However, the defendants did not use the funds as they said they would, but instead used the funds to pay Agridime’s operating expenses, personal expenses, debts and property, according to the indictment.
Kansas City police officer resigns amid lawsuit, fatal shooting
The indictment alleges the defendants obtained $220 million from more than 2,200 people across the United States
If convicted, each defendant faces up to twenty years in federal prison on each count of wire fraud, twenty years in prison on each count of wire fraud conspiracy, and up to ten years in prison on each count of money laundering.
The other three defendants are Jade Wood of Fort Worth, Taylor Bang of Kielder, North Dakota, and Royana Thomas of Arlington, Texas.
Tia Link and Tyler Bang appeared in court for arraignment on Friday. Wood and Thomas are scheduled to appear in court on February 25. Joshua Link remains at large.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
