SMITH COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A Smith County man was arrested in connection to a murder-for-hire plot.

Smith County Sheriff Joel Houston said Randall Hutchinson was arrested on Sunday, June 23 in connection to the plot after he attempted to leave town.

According to Houston, Hutchinson had approached an individual with an offer to commit murder on his behalf. He allegedly contracted the individual to kill two Smith County residents in exchange for $12,000. The sheriff said Hutchinson provided the individual with a firearm, gloves and ammunition.

“With the quick actions of our investigators, we were able to intervene and prevent a potentially tragic outcome,” said Houston. “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 was arrested without incident. He is facing two felony charges related to an attempt to commit an offense of murder. His bond was set at $100,000.

The sheriff said there is no ongoing threat to public safety associated with this incident.

The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.