Four men accused of killing a Commerce Township man outside his cannabis grow operation in Pontiac will face an Oakland County Circuit judge later this month after their cases were bound over Friday at the conclusion of a preliminary exam in 50th District Court.

Ohioans Scott Brown, William Creasy, Christopher Matacia and Deonte Prophett face charges of felony murder and armed robbery in connection with the Jan. 13 slaying of Sam Simko, 66. Simko was gunned down at his cannabis grow facility in the 1000 block of University Drive, and approximately 50 pounds of marijuana was stolen, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

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 four defendants fled to Ohio after the homicide and robbery but were subsequently extradited to Oakland County.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s office, Creasy allegedly had arranged a meeting with Simko at the grow operation with the intention of robbing him and the business. Deputies were dispatched to the cannabis grow facility 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.

Sheriff Mike Bouchard has characterized the crimes as “well-coordinated and cold-blooded.”

Brown, 40, Creasy, 34, Matacia, 34, and Prophett, 33, are in the Oakland County Jail and scheduled to be arraigned on July 24 before Judge Martha Anderson.