Rolla, Missouri man pleads guilty to livestock theft in multiple counties
ROLLA, Mo. (KQTV) -- A Rolla, Missouri, man pleaded guilty to livestock theft and has been connected to other rural crimes in Missouri counties, including Nodaway County.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announced criminal charges against 39-year-old Melvin J. Fincher.
Fincher has pending charges in Phelps, Dent, Polk and Nodaway Counties and was arrested on Oct. 24, 2025, after an investigation conducted by DDCC's Rural Crimes Investigation Unit (RCIU) with the assistance of area law enforcement.
In July 2024, DDCC became aware of suspicious activity involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County.
During the investigation, RCIU investigators were informed by Texas authorities of a cattle theft investigation involving 42 head of cattle from a livestock market in Texas. The theft occurred between Aug. 10 and Aug. 11, 2024, with the cattle valued at over $71,000.
After further investigation, it was determined the cattle were received by Fisher, a resident of Phelps County.
Investigators searched Fincher's property and found livestock tags located in the livestock pens on the premises. Identification numbers indicated on the tags were issued to the livestock market in Texas, where the cattle were originally stolen.
On Dec. 2, 2024, Fincher was formally charged by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of Stealing Livestock/Wildlife- Prior Offense. Fincher later pleaded guilty to this charge.
On Oct. 27, 2025, Fincher was sentenced to 10 years of incarceration with the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence was suspended in execution of a sentence, and Fincher is currently serving five years of supervised probation.
Fincher is also facing numerous charges in Dent, Polk and Nodaway Counties for other related criminal offenses, including identity theft, livestock theft, and farm equipment theft. The total value of damages involving these cases exceeds $219,000.
