NATCHEZ – A Natchez man was arrested Thursday after citizen complaints led Adams County deputies to investigate suspected drug activity in the Woodlawn area, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Agents with the sheriff’s office Special Operations Group were working near Woodlawn and Martin Luther King Jr. Street on Oct. 1 when they encountered 67-year-old Richard Washington Jr. near the intersection of Woodlawn and Beaumont Street.
Investigators said Washington allegedly placed white rock-like substances believed to be crack cocaine into his mouth and swallowed them during the encounter.
When agents attempted to take him into custody, authorities said Washington resisted and became combative, leading to a physical struggle. Agents were able to take him into custody without injuries to Washington or law enforcement.
Washington was charged with possession of approximately 2 grams of suspected crack cocaine, tampering with physical evidence, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest and an outstanding bench warrant.
Because investigators believed Washington had swallowed suspected crack cocaine, American Medical Response was called to evaluate him as a precaution before he was transported to the Adams County Jail.
Sheriff Travis Patten said the arrest stemmed from information provided by residents and credited agents with bringing the encounter under control without injuries.
Washington is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
