A 70-year-old Houston man is accused of hatching a violent plot against the man his wife was allegedly seeing, with prosecutors saying he lined up cash, surveillance and even a gun in a plan to kidnap, torture and kill the Kingwood resident. The accusations led to felony charges in October 2025, and he is set to face a judge at the end of January.
Michael Gallaher is charged in Harris County with felony stalking and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon tied to the alleged scheme and a confrontation outside the other man's home.
Details from court documents
According to Harris County court papers summarized by FOX 26 Houston, Gallaher's wife told investigators her husband recruited two men he met while they were jailed and offered them $30,000 to carry out the plan.
The affidavit says one of those men allegedly installed surveillance cameras outside the other man's home, and that Gallaher's wife could watch live video feeds on her husband's laptop. Court filings also describe text messages and an email that investigators say were part of an effort to smear the alleged target.
Confrontation in Kingwood
On Oct. 24, 2025, the man Gallaher allegedly targeted called police after a tense encounter outside his Kingwood home, according to the affidavit. He told officers Gallaher showed up with a handgun, yelled, "You're going to pay for things! I'm going to kill you!" and then drove off when the man started recording him on a phone.
The following day, the same man reported sudden mechanical trouble with a vehicle. Investigators later noted issues they said were consistent with sugar being poured into the gas tank, according to court documents reported by FOX 26 Houston.
Charges and legal exposure
Prosecutors have charged Gallaher with felony stalking and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon tied to the alleged threats and confrontation.
Under Texas law, aggravated assault that involves a deadly weapon is classified as a felony in Texas Penal Code §22.02, as outlined by FindLaw. Stalking is addressed in Penal Code §42.072, which is summarized by Justia. Court dates and filings in the case are tracked by the Harris County District Clerk.
Local context and risks
Advocates and police say the mix of alleged stalking, surveillance and a firearm is exactly the sort of combination that can turn deadly in intimate-partner situations. Harris County has seen a recent rise in such fatalities, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The Texas Council on Family Violence has reported that stalking and explicit threats often show up in cases that later escalate into serious violence, and local agencies have been putting more emphasis on coordinated responses to high risk situations. The alleged surveillance, vehicle tampering and direct threats described in Gallaher's case match the kinds of warning signs those reviews frequently highlight.
What’s next
Gallaher is scheduled for a court appearance at the end of January. Case records are public through the Harris County District Clerk, and authorities are encouraging anyone with information to work with law enforcement.
The Houston Police Department's Family Violence Unit and the Texas Council on Family Violence continue to offer resources and safety planning support for people who feel threatened or believe they may be at risk.
