Press Release
Adams County Sheriff’s Office
Natchez, Mississippi
September 6, 2025
Update on Search for Mrs. Juanita Robinson
This morning at approximately 8:00 a.m., multiple agencies and volunteers gathered at the Adams County Safe Room to continue the search for Mrs. Juanita Robinson, who had been missing since August 27, 2025. In attendance were members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Natchez Police Department, Adams County Search and Rescue, Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Adams County Emergency Management, and family members of Mrs. Robinson. Before beginning today’s efforts, the group joined together in prayer for her recovery.
More than 50 volunteers arrived to assist in organized search efforts. Teams were assigned to different quadrants of Adams County, beginning at Mrs. Robinson’s last known location along Liberty Road.
At approximately 10:02 a.m., while traveling about two miles past South Palestine Road, I observed a disturbed area off Liberty Road near a gum tree bush. Upon further inspection, I discovered an overturned vehicle deep in the wooded area. The vehicle was confirmed to be Mrs. Robinson’s 2011 silver Toyota Corolla. Mrs. Robinson was located inside.
Additional units, the Natchez Fire Department, and Chop’s Wrecker Service responded to assist with recovery and extraction. Mrs. Robinson’s family, who had been present during the search, confirmed the vehicle belonged to her.
I want to personally thank every agency, investigator, volunteer, and family member who played a role in today’s efforts. In particular, ACSO Investigators Captain Rustin Cavin and Investigator Alicia Wimley worked tirelessly to retrace Mrs. Robinson’s steps using camera footage and phone records, which provided the critical information leading to today’s discovery. Their diligence, coupled with the collaboration and prayers of so many, brought this search to a close.
I also want to thank Mayor Dan Gibson and the Natchez Police Department for reaching out to our office for assistance. Their partnership and support ensured that all available resources were brought together in the effort to locate Mrs. Robinson.
On behalf of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, I extend my deepest condolences to Mrs. Robinson’s family and loved ones. We ask the community to continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they grieve and make the necessary arrangements to lay her to rest.
Sheriff Travis Patten
Adams County Sheriff’s Office
Press Release
August 8, 2025
Sheriff Patten Reports Recovery of Stolen Log Truck, Firearms in Adams County; Two Suspects Charged
Natchez, MS On the evening of August 4th, 2025, deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) responded to an urgent request for assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office regarding a stolen log truck that had crossed into Adams County.
The vehicle, a white 1993 International log truck, was reported stolen from the parking lot of the BP station at the intersection of Hwy 84 and Hwy 33 in Franklin County. It was last seen heading southbound on Hwy 33 before turning westbound onto Liberty Road.
Thanks to coordination between Franklin and Adams County agencies and assistance from a concerned citizen, the stolen vehicle was located off a gravel road near New Hope Road within the Sandy Creek Wildlife Management Area. Upon approaching the vehicle, ACSO deputies found the truck abandoned with its doors and storage compartments open. A Taurus 9mm pistol and a loaded AR-15 rifle were discovered at the scene, along with suspected narcotics and a cellular phone.
Following an investigation, Christopher J. Payne, Black Male, Date of Birth 09/08/1999, was arrested the following day in a wooded area near the scene and charged with Receiving, Possessing or Disposing of Stolen Property in connection to this incident. Payne also had three outstanding warrants for his arrest at the time, including Armed Robbery, Receiving Stolen Property, and False Pretense.
Larry Stampley, Black Male, Date of Birth 10/09/2002, was also charged with Receiving, Possessing or Disposing of Stolen Property after being arrested in the wooded area near the scene the following day.
There were no injuries reported during the incident, though a citizen stated that a shot was fired in his direction while attempting to observe the truck’s location.
The firearms and narcotics were recovered, logged, and secured as evidence. The vehicle has since been returned to its owner.
Sheriff Travis Patten commended the swift action of all deputies involved and the critical assistance provided by the community. “We’re grateful for the rapid communication between agencies and the bravery shown by citizens who helped bring this situation to a safe resolution,” Patten said.
Arrested:
Fayette, MS
Charges: Possession of Stolen Property
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Natchez, MS
Charges: Possession of Stolen Property
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Press Release
July 31, 2025
Natchez, Mississippi
Arrest Made in Domestic Shooting on Hwy 61 North
In the early morning hours of Thursday, July 31, 2025, deputies with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Hwy 61 North in Natchez.
Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female who had sustained a gunshot wound to her left forearm, with an exit wound observed in her upper back. She was initially transported to Merit Health Natchez and later flown to another medical facility for further treatment.
While early reports suggested the shooting was accidental, investigators later discovered conflicting information at the hospital. The victim disclosed that, following a disagreement with her boyfriend, she had stepped outside to clear her head. Upon returning inside the residence, she was shot in the back by a male subject.
Deputies identified and detained a male suspect at the scene. Following an interview at the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the individual/suspect, identified as Taylor Fleming, confessed that the shooting had not occurred as initially described.
Arrested:
Natchez, MS
Charges: Aggravated Domestic Violence, Tampering with Evidence
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Press Release
During the morning hours of Sunday, April 13, 2025, deputies with Adams County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for an unresponsive male at 22 Hillcrest Dr in Natchez, MS. When deputies arrived, they observed an unresponsive male later identified as William Jefferson Ray. The scene was secured, and Investigators were contacted.
Investigators began processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. When the coroner arrived and took possession of the body, a gun shot wound was found on the deceased. Over the next 48 hours, investigators were able to acquire and analyze digital forensic data with the help of the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Cyber Crime Unit.
On the evening of April 16, 2025, Investigators assisted the Qauchita Parish Sheriff’s Office with a search warrant at a residence in West Monroe, LA. At the residence, Devin Wheeler was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm for an incident that took place in Catahoula Parish on April 15, 2025. During the search of the residence, deputies located a loaded 9 mm pistol that was seized and will be sent to the MS State Crime Lab for analysis.
Devin Wheeler is the brother of Adam Cade Wheeler who was listed as a person of interest earlier this week. Adam voluntarily came in for questioning and was released with no charges being filed.
On April 17, 2025, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for Devin Ray Wheeler for 1st Degree Murder and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Sheriff Patten stated that his Investigators are going to Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office and serving the arrest warrants and then we will wait for his extradition. Sheriff Patten went on to say that his Investigators had very little evidence to go on at the crime scene but were able to secure arrest warrants within 3 days which is a testament to their abilities and dedication. Sheriff Patten also stated that this would not have been possible without the help of the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Qauchita Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Arrested:
Devin Ray Wheeler, Age 28
Natchez, Mississippi
Charges: First Degree Murder
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Press Release
On March 6th 2025, Investigators from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Criminal Investigation Division, executed a Search Warrant at the residence of Brandon L. Butler located on North Palestine Rd. in Adams County. Investigators were able to locate evidence of Child Sexual Assault Material (CSAM) inside of the residence on devices used and controlled by Butler. Butler was arrested and will be charged with Possession of Child Pornography. Sheriff Travis Patten said that this investigation is still on-going and expects additional charges to follow. Sheriff Patten went on to say that he did not want to release too many details about the case, due to the sensitive nature of the crime.
Arrested:
Brandon L. Butler, Age 25
Natchez, Mississippi
Charges: Possession of Child Pornography
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Press Release
On the evening of January 31, 2024, 3 individuals pulled onto Finger Lane in Adams County and opened fired on a group of individuals that were standing in the yard, after the shooting stopped, 1 person was killed and 5 others were injured. Deputies responded to the call and worked around the clock following leads and interviewing witnesses.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office investigation led them to Vicksburg, MS and ultimately arrested Jeremiyah Clark, Daryl Hurts Jr, and Aereia Hearron in a Hotel Room for unrelated charges in Adams County during the evening hours of January 1, 2025.
As the investigation continued, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Zachary Police Department executed a search warrant in Zachary, LA on January 8, 2025, at the home of Riche Jackson. Jackson was arrested for Narcotics Violations by the Zachary Police Department. Later that day, The Adams County Sheriff’s Office executed another search warrant with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at a residence in Fayette, MS.
Sheriff Patten went to say that today, Jerimiah Clark (23 yoa)( from Natchez, MS) is being Charged with Murder, Five Counts of Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. Clark is currently in custody for two other unrelated Murders.
Daryl Hurts (26 yoa) (from Natchez, MS) Jr is being charged with Murder, Five Counts of Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Hurts is currently incarcerated for a Probation Violation, Accessory After the Fact, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm for an unrelated incident.
Riche Jackson (24 yoa) (from Fayette, MS), is being charged with Murder, Five Counts of Attempted Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, and Accessory After the Fact. Jackson is currently incarcerated for a Bond Revocation for an Aggravated Assault Charge and out on bond for Possession of Marijuana with Intent in Zachary, LA.
Aereia Hearron (28) (from Fayette, MS) is being charged with Accessory After the Fact. Hearron is currently in custody for Accessory After the Fact and Felon in Possession of a Firearm on an unrelated incident.
Shartavia Johnson (25 yoa) (from Vicksburg, MS) is being charged with Accessory Before the Fact.
Sheriff Patten stated that his agency has continued to work following every lead and has executed over 20 search warrants, issued numerous subpoenas, and is still receiving and analyzing all of the data that has come in. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has worked with and would like to thank the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole, Mississippi Department of Probation and Parole, Vidalia Police Department, Natchez Police Department, Fayette Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Vicksburg Police Department, Zachary Police Department, Clinton Police Department, New Orleans Police Department, and our District Attorney’s Office. The investigation is still ongoing and expects more arrests to be made soon. Sheriff Patten also said that these individuals are a threat to not just our community but every community from Clayton, LA to Vicksburg, MS to Zachary, LA. It was very important to get them off the street as soon as possible.
Press Release
On April 24th 2024, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the alleged rape of an Adams County resident. On May 7th 2024, Adams County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigators obtained an Arrest Warrant charging James Gove of Brookhaven, Mississippi with Rape-Assault with Intent to Ravish. On May 9th 2024, Gove turned himself in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office where he was taken into custody without incident. Sheriff Patten went on to say that he did not want to release too many details about the case, due to the sensitive nature of the crime.
Arrested:
James Gove, Age 26
Brookhaven, Mississippi
Charges: Rape-Assault with Intent to Ravish
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.