Brothers Convicted in $240 Million Cattle Investment Scheme

The six-day trial ended with convictions on multiple fraud and money-laundering charges tied to Agridime, a Fort Worth-based cattle business. Joshua Link was a co-owner and executive director; his brother Jason worked as a livestock broker and meat chain director and owned Shady Brook Ranch. The jury also found the brothers guilty of conspiring to defraud Agridime and its owners.

Agridime offered cattle contracts for $2,000 per steer or heifer, promising to buy, raise, process and sell specific animals for each customer. Prosecutors said the company instead used money from new investors to cover expenses, loan payments and returns due to earlier customers. From January 2021 through December 2023, it collected more than $240 million and sold about 60,000 more cattle than it had in inventory, while overstating its herd size to obtain financing.

The jury also found the brothers diverted more than $2.7 million from Agridime through fabricated feed and yard-service invoices linked to Jason Link’s business. A separate firm had supplied the cattle’s feed and received payment for it. Trial evidence showed that between 2022 and 2023, Joshua Link and co-defendant Tia Link received more than $2.7 million in salaries and commissions, while co-defendant Jed Wood received over $2.4 million. Bank records showed scheme proceeds helped pay for a Kansas recreational home and a Hummer H2.

Four other Agridime associates pleaded guilty before trial. Joshua and Jason Link each face maximum terms of 20 years on every conspiracy and wire-fraud count, and as many as 10 years on every money-laundering charge, as well as possible restitution and financial penalties. Sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2027.