A Rolla man pleaded guilty to stealing livestock after an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Melvin J. Fincher, 39, was arrested on Oct. 24, more than a year after the investigation began, by the MSHP Division of Drug and Crime Control's Rural Crimes Investigation Unit.

According to a news release from MSHP, the Rural Crimes Investigation Unit began investigating suspicious activity in July 2024 involving the sale of livestock and farm equipment in Phelps County. Texas authorities informed investigators about a cattle theft investigation involving 42 cows from a Texas livestock market between Aug. 10-11, 2024, according to the news release.

Troopers said further investigation found the cattle, valued at $71,078, were received by Fincher in Phelps County, according to th

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