The fourth man accused in the slaying of marijuana businessman Sam Simko of Commerce Township remains locked up in a Cincinnati-area jail, fighting extradition to Michigan.
Christopher Matacia, 34, is facing charges of felony murder, armed robbery, two counts of felony firearm and firearm-possession by a prohibited person for his alleged role in the robbery and murder of Simko, gunned down on Jan. 13 at his cannabis grow facility in Pontiac.
The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office said Matacia’s extradition was approved on Jan. 31, the same day he was admitted to the Hamilton County (Ohio) Jail. According to his jail record, Matacia has had a couple of court hearings on the case, with the next one scheduled for March 7.
Co-defendants in the case, Scott Aloysius Brown, 28, William Gregory Creasy, 24, and Deonte Damonte Prophett, 32, face charges of felony murder and armed robbery for Simko’s death and the theft of approximately 50 pounds of marijuana. Prophett, who detectives believe fired the fatal gunshots, is also charged with using a firearm in the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The next court date for the three is March 18 for a probable cause conference before 50th District Judge Cynthia Walker.
According to the sheriff’s office, Creasy allegedly had arranged a meeting with Simko at the grow operation in the 1000 block of University Drive in Pontiac with the intention of robbing him and the business.
Deputies were dispatched to the business at around 8:15 p.m. on Jan. 13 after Simko’s business partner found Simko had been shot and called 911. Simko was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been shot twice, officials said.
Brown, Creasy and Prophett are held in the Oakland County Jail, denied bond.
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