3 suspects charged in ‘execution’ of marijuana business owner in Pontiac

A Pontiac businessman was assassinated at a marijuana shop, and three suspects were taken into custody and charged with his murder.

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    Three suspects were arrested and charged for Monday’s fatal shooting of a Pontiac businessman.
    
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    The victim, Sam Simko, 66, was “executed” according to the Oakland County Sheriff, adding he was ziptied with a bag over his head.
    
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    The three men wanted in the crime were tracked down to Cincinnati and arrested.
    

• 
  Three suspects were arrested and charged for Monday’s fatal shooting of a Pontiac businessman.
  
• 
  The victim, Sam Simko, 66, was “executed” according to the Oakland County Sheriff, adding he was ziptied with a bag over his head.
  
• 
  The three men wanted in the crime were tracked down to Cincinnati and arrested.
  

FOX 2, Pontiac, Mich.Three individuals were arrested and charged in connection with the murder of Pontiac businessman Sam Simko following an investigation that involved several police departments in two states.

Scott Brown and William Creasy were accused of armed robbery and felony homicide. The charges against Deonte Prophett, the third suspect, included felony firearm possession, armed robbery, felony murder, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

What they’re saying:

Simko, a 66-year-old Commerce Township homeowner and co-owner of a marijuana grow company in Pontiac, is accused of being killed by the three men during an armed robbery on Monday.

Simko allegedly opened the door for Prophett, who was armed, and Brown, who rushed in wearing masks and gloves, after allowing one of the guys, Creasy, to enter.

Once inside, they zip-tied the victim, placed a bag over his head, and shot him dead. The three then stole over fifty pounds of marijuana, according to Bouchard, even though there was no money in the store at the time.

“Masked and gloved individuals, as they burst into the business, they basically executed the owner,” said Bouchard. “This is obviously a warning to marijuana businesses since they deal in two precious commodities that thieves find valuable: cash, which was lacking at this specific site but frequently found at a dispensary. You have money and drugs, then.

Scott Brown, William Creasy, and Deonte Prophett, on the left, are the suspects.

Just after 8 p.m. on Monday, Simko’s business partner found him inside the store and dialed 911.

Simko is thought to have first met one of the suspects at the Ann Arbor Hash Bash, according to Bouchard. At one point, Creasy set up a meeting at the company.

We know:

According to detectives, video footage taken from Simko’s place of work revealed that the Buick Lacrosse used in the crime was registered to Creasy in Cincinnati, Ohio, and that on the day of the murder, Creasy hired a Ford Expedition in Cincinnati.

On January 14, 2025, Creasy and Brown were taken into custody in Cincinnati. Prophett was taken into custody on January 15, 2025, in Cincinnati. In the next few days, their extradition to Michigan is anticipated.

Three guys have been caught and charged with the execution-style murder of a Pontiac business owner and escaping with fifty pounds of marijuana.

Investigators suspect a.45 caliber firearm that was found at the crime scene was utilized.

About 50 law enforcement officers from several agencies made the swift arrests, which Bouchard described as excellent police work.

The Oakland County Sheriff Fugitive Apprehension Team, the Cincinnati Crime and Gun Intelligence Center, the Detroit and Cincinnati ATF offices, and the Sheriff’s Office Pontiac substation participated in the operation.

“This involved over 50 law enforcement personnel in a short time period,” he stated. “The investigation is ongoing to determine if there is other involvement.”

The Origin:Sheriff Michael Bouchard and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office provided information for this report.