PHELPS COUNTY —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.
On October 24, Fincher was arrested after an investigation conducted by the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control Rural Crimes Investigation Unit with the assistance of area law enforcement.
In July of 2024, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was made aware of suspicious activity involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County, Missouri.
Texas authorities informed investigators in Missouri 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, Missouri.
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 offenses including identify theft, livestock theft, and farm equipment theft
The total value of damages involving these cases exceeds $219,000.00.
If you have any further information regarding these cases, please contact DDCC at 573-526-6122.
