Press Releases

Five individuals were federally indicted for their roles in an alleged $220 million cattle fraud scheme which targeted more than 2,200 victims, including ranchers, investors, and others in the United States cattle industry. USDA OIG agents investigated the matter jointly with the FBI for potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, which ultimately uncovered the alleged scheme.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison on each wire fraud count for which they were indicted as well as 20 years imprisonment for the charged wire fraud conspiracy.  Additionally, the defendants face up to 10 years imprisonment for each money laundering count in which they are charged. One of the defendants remains a fugitive and is on the FBI Wanted List. "USDA OIG is committed to investigating fraud against American ranchers or others who labor in support of the United States cattle industry to put food on our tables.  I applaud the work of our special agents and law enforcement partners for their work on this investigation." - Inspector General John Walk