Three individuals are set to appear in federal court on charges related to a murder-for-hire conspiracy, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Michael Seery, 42, from Katy, is scheduled for a court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Yvonne Ho on July 24 at 2 p.m. Ricardo Obando Jr., 51, and Matthew Rosas, 24, both from Houston, are currently held on related state charges and are also expected to appear in federal court.
Seery was initially charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and remains detained. A federal grand jury issued a seven-count superseding indictment on July 15. The charges allege that the three planned the murder over several months and executed their plan on February 4 by allegedly shooting the victim multiple times while he was commuting to work. The victim survived but sustained injuries.
If convicted of possessing a firearm silencer or discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, they could face life imprisonment with mandatory minimum sentences of 30 and 10 years respectively. They are also charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities for murder for hire resulting in personal injury, carrying up to 20 years in prison. Additionally, Seery and Obando face up to 10 years for transferring and receiving firearms for use in felonies; Seery faces an additional charge as a felon in possession of a firearm with another possible maximum sentence of 15 years.
The investigation involved the FBI, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter Brown is handling the prosecution.
It is important to note that an indictment is not evidence but rather an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.
