ROLLA, Mo. (KY3) - A judge sentenced a Phelps County man for livestock theft.

Melvin Fincher pleaded guilty to charges connected to the theft of livestock valued at more than $71,000 from Texas. He is currently serving five years of supervised probation, with a suspended 10-year jail sentence.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that Fincher faces charges in Dent, Polk, and Nodaway counties for thefts totaling more than $219,000. Investigators said Fincher took cattle from a Polk County farmer in September and sold them for more than $13,000 in Joplin. He has not pleaded guilty to that case.

A judge could determine Fincher has violated his probation agreement and order him to serve jail time.

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