‘He only cared about profit’: Fort Walton Beach family outraged by fentanyl plea deal

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. ( WKRG ) — A plea deal has been accepted in the case against Flynn Bogart Smith charged in the 2022 fentanyl overdose death of Bradley Hutchcraft.

The deal includes a suspended 10-year sentence, 24 months of drug offender probation, and 36 months of standard probation.

Hutchcraft was found dead on April 8, 2022, after using heroin laced with fentanyl. His death followed a severe work injury eight months earlier, which led to a relapse triggered by painkillers prescribed for the injury.

Hutchcraft’s twin brother, Jason, spoke in court about his anger toward Smith, saying, “That was a paycheck for him that day. He only cared about profit.”

“I knew what he was struggling with. I knew that he was sick and injured, and he was looking for relief,” Jason Hutchcraft said. “You know, whenever he was in his weakest moment, he was preyed upon by somebody who made a profit of his death.”

Fort Walton Police investigated a text message thread in Hutchcraft’s phone with a “Bo” Smith arranging a drug deal on Beal Parkway. Officers tracked “Bo” Smith on social media, identifying him as Flynn Bogart Smith.

Smith admitted to selling the heroin to Hutchcraft days before his death. Police arrested him for possession of meth, LSD, fentanyl and paraphernalia. He was released on bond the next day.

An autopsy revealed Hutchcraft died from a combination of meth and fentanyl. Detectives later issued a warrant for Smith’s arrest for the death of Hutchcraft. He was charged with manslaughter, negligent homicide and possession of a firearm.

Smith’s defense team said they worked on discovery for two years. They argued that Smith has taken significant steps to ensure drugs and alcohol would no longer be part of his life.

In accepting the plea deal, the judge emphasized the gravity of sentencing, saying, “If you want to learn how to pray, sentence someone,” and reminded Smith of what he took from Hutchcraft’s twin brother.

“We allowed a man a great deal of grace and leniency who has not earned it over the course of his life,” Hutchcraft said. “You know, a man with no education has given up on everything he’s tried except crime.”

The deal’s acceptance has left his family concerned that justice was not fully served.

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