3 Charged With Murder, Robbery In Killing Of Oakland Co. Businessman

PONTIAC, MI — Three Cincinnati men are facing murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of an Oakland County businessman, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Sam Simko, 66, of Commerce Township, was found shot to death by his business partner at 8:17 p.m. on Jan. 13 at his marijuana business in the 1000 block of University Drive in Pontiac, according to prosecutors.

William Creasy, 24, Scott Brown, 28, and Deonte Prophett, 32, were all charged with felony murder and armed robbery. Prophett faces additional charges of felony firearm possession and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

All three men were extricated to Michigan and placed in the Oakland County Jail without bond. Their next court date is scheduled for Feb. 11.

If convicted, they face up to life in prison for the murder charge and up to life for the armed robbery charge.

"The senseless tragic murder of a businessman by these cold and calculating perpetrators must be answered with swift justice," Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. "I look forward to them being held accountable for their heinous act."

Investigators believe Creasy set up a business meeting with Simko after the two had met at the Ann Arbor hash bash. Police believe the meeting was set up to rob Simko and the business. Simko was ultimately shot twice, according to prosecutors.

Surveillance video from the business showed Creasy arriving at the business Monday evening and entering it alone, according to prosecutors.

Creasy was driving a white Buick Lacrosse, according to prosecutors.

While Creasy was inside the business, a black Ford Expedition that was parked across the street then pulled into the parking lot, according to prosecutors.

When Creasy was walking out of the business, Brown and Prophett got out of the Expedition and entered the building wearing masks and gloves, according to prosecutors.

Prophett was also holding a pistol, according to prosecutors.

Once inside, Prophett fired two rounds, killing Simko, according to prosecutors.

The men then zip-tied Simko's body and put a bag over his head, according to prosecutors.

There was not any cash inside the store at the time, but police said the three men took roughly 50 pounds of marijuana from the store.

Investigators tracked all three men to Cincinnati after learning the Buick Lacrosse was registered to Creasy in that city. They also learned that he had rented the Expedition in Cincinnati the day of the killing.

While executing search warrants at multiple locations in Ohio, officers also found three guns, including a .45 caliber handgun that officials believe was used to fatally shoot Simko, according to prosecutors.

Bouchard said the quick arrests were the work of over 50 law enforcements officers from multiple agencies.