A Rolla, Missouri man has been charged in connection with a livestock theft case that investigators say may be tied to other rural crimes in several Missouri counties.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control announced charges against 39-year-old Melvin J. Fincher following an investigation by the agency’s Rural Crimes Investigation Unit.
Authorities say the investigation began on September 3, 2025, when the Polk County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance in a case involving stolen cattle from a local resident. Polk County Sheriff Danny Morrison identified Fincher as a suspect during the investigation.
Investigators later determined Fincher could also be connected to two additional cattle theft cases, including one in Barry County.
Officials said investigators found similar patterns linking several cattle theft incidents across the state, including cases in Polk and Phelps counties. After following multiple leads and collecting additional evidence, investigators submitted a probable cause statement to the Barry County prosecutor.
Fincher was formally charged February 11 with one count of stealing livestock or wildlife as a prior offender. 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, Missouri. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Newton County Jail.
His bond was set at $50,000.
Authorities say the charge is an accusation and Fincher is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Investigators encourage anyone with information related to livestock theft to contact the Missouri Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force.
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