NATCHEZ, Miss. — A joint response by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks led to the arrest of a man Monday after deputies reportedly discovered a loaded firearm at the Natchez Port.
According to the sheriff’s office, MDWFP contacted ACSO at approximately 2:27 p.m. Aug. 24 requesting assistance after authorities received information that several people had reportedly been seen on a Facebook Live stream fishing in an area of the port that is closed to the public.
Deputies and MDWFP officers responded to the area and encountered three individuals, who were advised by wildlife officers that they were trespassing.
During the encounter, deputies observed a backpack sitting in a folding chair. Christopher Payne identified the backpack as his and gave deputies consent to search it, according to ACSO.
Deputies said the search uncovered a loaded Iver Johnson Cadet .22-caliber revolver containing six rounds of ammunition. Authorities also reported recovering an additional .22-caliber round from Payne.
Following the investigation, Payne was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He was transported to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office without incident.
“This arrest is another example of the value of cooperation between our law enforcement agencies,” Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said. “Our partners with Wildlife recognized a situation that required additional investigation and contacted our office. That teamwork resulted in a loaded firearm being recovered and an arrest being made.”
Patten said the sheriff’s office would continue working with local, state and federal law enforcement partners to address illegal activity in Adams County.
The sheriff’s office thanked MDWFP for its continued partnership and commitment to public safety.
Payne is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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