MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Division of Drug and Crime Control-P.O. Box 568, Jefferson City, MO 65102

News Release
For further information please contact: Sgt. Bradley R. Germann 573-526-6122

11/05/2025
November 5, 2025

EMPHASIS: Rolla, MO, Man Pleads Guilty To Livestock Theft. Connected To Other Rural Crimes In MO Counties.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control (DDCC) announces criminal charges against Melvin J. Fincher, 39, of Rolla, MO. Fincher has pending charges in other counties which include Phelps, Dent, Polk, and Nodaway Counties.

Fincher was arrested on October 24, 2025, after an investigation conducted by DDCC’s Rural Crimes Investigation Unit (RCIU) with the assistance of area law enforcement.

In July of 2024, DDCC was made aware of suspicious activity involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County, MO.

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 August 10 and 11, 2024, and the total value of the cattle was $71,078.00. After further investigation, it was determined the cattle were received by Melvin Fincher, a resident of Phelps County, MO.

During the investigation, and while searching property associated with Fincher, USDA livestock tags were located in the livestock pens on the premises. Identification numbers indicated the tags were issued to the livestock market in Texas where the cattle were originally stolen. Additional evidence was collected connecting Fincher to the theft of cattle in Texas.

On December 2, 2024, Fincher was formally charged by the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney with one count of Stealing Livestock/Wildlife - Prior Offense. Fincher later pled guilty to this charge.

On October 27, 2025, Fincher was sentenced to 10 years incarceration with the Missouri Department of Corrections. The sentence was suspended in execution of 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 offences including identify theft, livestock theft, and farm equipment theft. The total value of damages involving these cases exceeds $219,000.00.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is appreciative of the assistance from the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Missouri Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force, USDA, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

If you have any further information regarding these cases, please contact DDCC at 573-526-6122.


Follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperDDCC


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