2 Houston-area men get life in prison in murder-for-hire plot against wrong man, officials say

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Two men have been sentenced to life for their roles related to a conspiracy that resulted in the shooting of a Katy man on his way to work, Acting U.S. Attorney John G.E. Marck said.

A federal jury deliberated for two days and decided to convict 43-year-old Michael Seery of Katy and 52-year-old Ricardo Obando Jr. of Houston, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Federal officials said U.S. District Judge David Hittner has now imposed life sentences for both men.

Michael Seery was charged with felon in possession of a firearm after agents seized 57 weapons from his home in the Ventana Lakes Subdivision, office, and storage unit, as well as a 3D printer with codes to make firearm accessories, prosecutors said.

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According to federal officials, Seery and Obando plotted the murder of a man they believed had an affair with Seery's wife over the course of months.

Officials said that in the early morning of Feb. 4, 2025, Obando shot the victim several times as he was driving to work on the Grand Parkway, and while he sustained several wounds to his neck, the victim survived.

Prosecutors said cell phone evidence demonstrated how Obando conducted extensive surveillance and a failed attempt on the victim before finally executing the plot.

In reality, Seery targeted the wrong person, according to prosecutors, who added that the actual intended target had moved out of the residence where Seery believed he lived.

Officials said that during testimony, it was revealed that the alleged affair that Seery was angry about had happened 12 years ago.

Despite the defense's efforts to dispute the evidence and the relationships between the victims and suspects, officials said that the jury found the two men guilty as charged.

Federal officials said Seery and Obando have been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

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