Cedar Rapids, IA (KICD)– A Rock Rapids man has pled guilty to a federal wire fraud charge.

52-year-old Robert Bickerstaff entered the plea on Friday and admitted that he participated in a scheme to defraud livestock producers both personally and by directing others to do so by means of falsely lowering the weights and reduce numbers and classifications of swine.

Sentencing will take place at a later date with Bickerstaff facing up to 20 years in prison and a quarter million dollar fine. He is currently free on bond.