August 20th, 2026 Local News
Rolla, Mo. (KFMO) - A Rolla man has been sentenced to 15 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections following an investigation into the theft of cattle in Missouri.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control says 39-year-old Melvin J. Fincher entered an Alford plea August 11, 2026, in Barry County Circuit Court to one count of Stealing Livestock/Wildlife - Prior Offense.
The 15-year prison sentence was suspended, and Fincher was placed on five years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
The investigation began September 3, 2025, when the Polk County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from the Highway Patrol's Rural Crimes Investigation Unit, or RCIU, in investigating the theft of cattle from a local resident.
Polk County Sheriff Danny Morrison identified Fincher as a suspect. Investigators also identified Fincher as a possible suspect in two other cattle thefts, including one in Barry County.
According to the Highway Patrol, DDCC investigators identified patterns similar to other cattle theft cases reported across Missouri, including cases in Polk and Phelps counties. Investigators followed several leads and gathered additional evidence that established probable cause for an arrest.
A probable cause statement was submitted to the Barry County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, which resulted in the felony charge against Fincher.
On February 11, 2026, Fincher was formally charged in Barry County with stealing livestock or wildlife with a prior offense, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
On March 9, officers with Operation Relentless Pursuit and members of the U.S. Marshals Service located Fincher in Neosho. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Newton County Jail. Bail was originally set at $50,000.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the Rural Crimes Investigation Unit remains committed to serving rural communities and encourages anyone with information about livestock theft to contact the Missouri Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force at 888-484-8477.