PHELPS COUNTY, Mo. — A Phelps County man has pleaded guilty following thefts of livestock.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) press release, Melvin Fincher, 39, of Rolla, has pleaded guilty to stealing livestock/wildfire - prior offence.

Following an investigation by DDCC's Rural Crimes Investigation Unit (RCIU), Fincher was arrested on Friday, Oct. 24, with assistance from local law enforcement.

The release states that DDCC was made aware of suspicious activity in July 2024 of the sale of livestock and farm equipment around Phelps County. The investigation led to Texas authorities reaching out to RCIU for the 42 head of cattle from a livestock market.

The cattle taken were reportedly around Aug 10-11, 2024, with a value of $71,078, with later evidence that the cattle

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