An Oskaloosa man was charged in federal court this week with conspiring to defraud the owners of a Jefferson County ranch.

Jay A. Wagner, 38, could be sentenced to 30 years in federal prison and ordered to pay a fine of up to $1 million if convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and to engage in monetary transactions with funds derived from unlawful acts, according to an indictment. The crime allegedly occurred from 2003 to Dec. 5, 2007.

Wagner and an unindicted, unnamed co-conspirator defrauded the owners of the J Bar Ranch. They allegedly created counterfeit documents that fraudulently increased the actual average weight and cost of cattle. Other counterfeit documents stated that the cattle had been checked by a veterinarian.

Other allegations include false invoices from trucking firms and engaging in monetary transactions involving the funds obtained through the conspiracy.