NATCHEZ — Three men were arrested and an assault rifle was recovered Wednesday when Adams County deputies took down what the sheriff called a “problem area.”

In the early morning hours Wednesday, the sheriff’s office’s Special Operations Group executed a narcotics search warrant at 35 Beaumont St., Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said.

Tywon Noble, 21, and Stephen Wilson, 33, were taken into custody without incident inside the residence. Wayne Hammett, 26, attempted to flee the residence and was taken into custody in the backyard.

During a search of the residence, deputies seized a loaded SKS assault rifle, 13 ecstasy tablets and approximately 4 grams of crack cocaine near where Noble and Wilson were arrested,

Deputies also found in the residence a loaded .40-caliber pistol that had the serial numbers filed off, approximately a gram of cocaine, digital scales and ammunition.

Noble, 27 Beaumont St., and Wilson, 35 Beaumont St., were each charged with possession of schedule II crack cocaine with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a church and a firearms enhancement, possession of schedule I ecstasy with intent to distribute within 1,500 feet of a church and a firearms enhancement and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Wayne Hammett, 26, 167 St. Catherine St., was charged with disorderly conduct (failure to comply).

Noble was out on bond related to his December 2016 drug-related, felony arrest.

Patten said 35 Beaumont St. is in a problem area in the community where drugs and guns are constantly being mixed.

“My deputies have arrested several people with guns, drugs and outstanding warrants,” Patten said. “They have had to chase and physically fight people while trying to arrest them near this house.”

The area, which is located within the Natchez city limits  also has been a problem for the Natchez Police Department and the district attorney’s office, Patten said.

“(The district attorney’s office) convicted two people for a murder that took place at 35 Beaumont St. last year,” Patten said. “Officers are also in possession of a rap video that was shot at 35 Beaumont where all the individuals were pointing guns at the camera and simulating a home invasion robbery.”

“The District Attorney’s Office, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Natchez Police Department are working together to shut down locations like this permanently,” Patten said.

Noble and Wilson were in jail Wednesday with no bond set. Hammett was in jail Wednesday on a $1,000 bond.