FBI: Suspect in $220M Cattle Investment Fraud Arrested in California

A man accused of orchestrating a nationwide cattle investment fraud scheme has been arrested in California after being on the FBI’s wanted list.

joshua-link_cattle_adobe-stock_FBI.jpg

Joshua Link was arrested on March 9 at LAX Airport by Customs and Border Patrol, LAX Airport Police, and FBI Task Force Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department. (2026)

Federal Bureau of Investigation; Adobe Stock

DENVER, COLO. (RFD NEWS) — A man accused of orchestrating a nationwide cattle investment fraud scheme has been arrested in California after being on the FBI’s wanted list.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Joshua Robert Link was taken into custody on March 9 at Los Angeles International Airport by Customs and Border Protection officers, airport police, and FBI task force agents.

Link had been wanted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud tied to an alleged investment scheme involving cattle contracts sold through his company, Agridime LLC.

Federal investigators say that between January 2021 and December 2023, Link and his alleged co-conspirators promoted cattle investment contracts promising returns between 15% and 32%. Investors were told the company would purchase cattle, feed and process them, and then sell the meat through Agridime’s distribution network.

Authorities allege that in reality the company purchased only a fraction of the cattle it claimed to buy, resulting in approximately $220 million in losses to more than 2,000 investors nationwide.

A federal arrest warrant for Link was issued on January 29, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Investigators say he has ties to multiple states, including Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Arkansas, Colorado, and Arizona.

Link is expected to face federal prosecution in Texas in connection with the alleged fraud scheme.

Related Stories
The newly elected Executive Vice President of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA), Dale Parker, joins us on-set to share his vision for his state’s cattle industry.
Tyson’s capacity cuts weaken local basis, tighten kill space, and heighten dependence on imports, signaling more volatility for producers.
Strong yields and higher cattle prices helped stabilize conditions, but weak crop prices and rising carryover debt remain major challenges for Eleventh District farmers.
Jake Charleston, with Specialty Risk Insurance, joins us now for an industry update and advice for cattle producers as they consider options for managing the risks of a murky market.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Corey Owens of the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association shares updates about this year’s event and its continued impact on youth, agriculture, and the San Angelo community.
OOIDA’s Lewie Pugh discusses the EPA’s new Right to Repair guidance and other regulatory developments impacting the trucking and agriculture industries.
Tyler Schuster is an ag industry advocate who mentors and supports the next generation, especially women finding their place in the cattle industry.
NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what cattle producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.
The EPA has approved over-the-top dicamba applications for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, outlining new rules that impact herbicide use for U.S. crop producers.
Merck’s Gary Tiller discusses new virtual fencing technology and how fence-free livestock management could change the way ranchers manage land and cattle.