THREE MILE BAY — A town of Lyme woman faces a count alleging she tried to hide a man wanted by police.

Melani B. Southwell, 38, of 7888 Route 12E, was charged by Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies about 11 p.m. Tuesday with second-degree obstruction of governmental administration. Police said they had gone to her residence because it was rumored that Donald S. Payne, 28, who was wanted on a warrant, was staying there. Police said Ms. Southwell was found in woods behind her residence with Mr. Payne. She is due to answer the charge in Lyme Town Court.

Police said Mr. Payne, of 36743 Route 3, Carthage, was taken into custody on an arrest warrant from Lyme Town Court alleging fourth-degree criminal mischief and on a charge that he absconded from parole supervision. He was arraigned in the same court and ordered held without bail in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, Watertown.

Mr. Payne was sentenced in Jefferson County Court in May 2011 to two to six years in state prison for violating his Drug Court contract. According to the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, he was released under parole supervision Jan. 19.

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