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NATCHEZ — An Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy was pepper sprayed by a man he was working to arrest on Friday afternoon, said a press release issued by Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten.

The deputy spotted Orian Evans, 36, of 117 Wisteria, Natchez, who he knew had an active warrant for his arrest. The deputy confirmed Evans’ identity and that he had an active indictment from the Sixth District Circuit Court in Adams County, Patten said in the release.

When the deputy attempted to contact Evans on Homochitto Street near John R. Junkin Drive to make the arrest, Evans resisted the deputy, retrieved a can of pepper spray from his pocket, and sprayed the deputy in the face multiple times.

Patten said the deputy was able to put some distance between himself and Evans and called for backup. The deputy continued to follow Evans, who began walking down Homochito Street until another deputy arrived and the two were able to take Evans into custody.

Evans was arrested by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and charged with simple assault on a law enforcement officer, failure to comply and resisting arrest.

Evans was also served with the indictment for simple assault on a law enforcement officer for an incident that took place on Feb. 20, 2023, when Evans allegedly used pepper spray on a Natchez Police Officer during an encounter.

Patten said if it was not for the ACSO deputy’s training, the situation could have turned out much differently.

“Our deputy knew how to diffuse and best handle the situation. In the same type of situation with others, it may not have ended so peacefully,” Patten said.

Evans is being held currently without bond.