Law enforcement arrested and charged a Smith County man last Sunday in connection with a murder-for-hire plot intended to kill two people.
The Smith County Sheriff’s Office apprehended and charged Randall Hutchinson on June 23 as he attempted to leave town. An investigation revealed that Hutchinson had approached an unnamed individual, offering payment to commit murder on his behalf.
Hutchinson allegedly contracted the individual to execute the murders of two other Smith County residents in exchange for a payment of $12,000. He also supplied the would-be hitman with a firearm, gloves, and ammunition to carry out the killings.
“With the quick actions of our investigators, we were able to intervene and prevent a potentially tragic outcome,” Sheriff Joel Houston said in a public statement. “The recovery of the weapon, gloves, and ammunition Hutchinson had supplied, along with additional evidence gathered during the investigation, stressed the severity of the threat posed by Hutchinson’s intentions.”
Hutchinson’s arrest occurred without incident and, after being taken into custody, was charged with two felony charges related to an attempt to commit an offense of murder. Sheriff Houston went on to reassure Smith County residents that there is no longer a threat to public safety associated with this case.
“We want to assure the residents of Smith County that we take threats to public safety very seriously,” Houston said. “Our swift response and collaboration with law enforcement agencies have led to the apprehension of the suspect and the disruption of this dangerous plan.”
Hutchinson had bond set at $100,000 by a Justice Court Judge and the case will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office of the 13th district for prosecution. Additional details are being reviewed in the ongoing investigation.
