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PONTIAC (WWJ) — Three men are facing charges for allegedly murdering a Pontiac marijuana business owner during what prosecutors say was a fake meeting setup to be a ruse for a robbery.
William Creasy, Scott Brown and Deonte Prophett were arrested in Ohio this week and charged with felony murder and armed robbery. Prophett has also been charged with felony firearm possession and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
The charges stem from a shooting on Monday, Jan. 13 at 66-year-old Sam Simko’s marijuana grow business on University Drive near MLK Jr. Boulevard in Pontiac. Simko, a Commerce Twp. resident, was found dead that night by his business partner.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office say Creasy had arranged a business meeting with Simko at his business, but it “appears to have been a ruse to rob Simko and his business.”
Surveillance video footage at Simko’s business shows a person police identified as Creasy arrived at the business first and went into the building alone Monday evening. He was driving a white Buick Lacrosse.
Meanwhile, a black Ford Expedition that was parked across the street pulled into the parking lot while Creasy was inside. As Creasy was walking out of the building, it appears Brown and Prophett got out of the Expedition, with Prophett brandishing a pistol, and entered the building.
After a struggle, Prophett fired two rounds and killed Simko, the prosecutor’s office alleges.
Investigators learned that the Buick was registered to Creasy out of Cincinnati, Ohio, while he had rented the Expedition in Cincinnati on the day of the murder, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Creasy and Brown were arrested on Tuesday in Cincinnati, while Prophett was arrested there on Wednesday. Authorities have not said whether that’s where the men live, but the prosecutor’s office says they are expected to be extradited to Michigan in the coming days.
“Sam Simko’s murder was a senseless tragedy,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said, per a press release. “His family is entitled to justice and we are committed to ensuring the killers in this case are made to pay for their crimes.”
Felony murder carries a maximum sentence of life without parole, while armed robbery carries a maximum sentence of up to life in prison. Felony firearm carries a mandatory two-year sentence, served consecutively. Possession of a firearm by a prohibited person carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.
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“}]] Three men are facing charges for allegedly murdering a Pontiac marijuana business owner during what prosecutors say was a fake meeting setup to be a ruse for a robbery. Read More
