LAPLACE — A LaPlace motorist’s Sunday morning drive through a no passing zone turned violent when he scuffled with and spit on deputies during an arrest that included drug confiscation, authorities said,

Johnathan Jacob, 32, was arrested for battery of a police officer, public intimidation, narcotics possession and other charges following the traffic control apprehension at the intersection of East 5th Street and Cardinal Street in LaPlace, police said.

As of Tuesday morning, he was being held in custody in lieu of a $20,750 bond.

According to the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were directing traffic at 10:15 a.m. at the intersection of East 5th Street and Cardinal Street following a two-vehicle crash when they observed a vehicle traveling in a no passing zone and the driver ignoring commands to stop.

Police said the driver eventually stopped approximately 30 feet from where the vehicle was ordered to stop, and deputies contacted the driver, identified as Jacob, who began arguing with officers.

Jacob voluntarily consented to a search of his vehicle, police said.

“As Jacob was exiting the vehicle, deputies observed small amounts of marijuana on Jacob’s clothing, as well as the front driver’s seat and floorboard,” a Sheriff’s Office release said. “During the search, deputies discovered methamphetamines in a vial and a marijuana cigarette in a compartment in the front of the transmission shifting handle. A pair of silver hemostats with marijuana residue were also recovered on the floorboard of the vehicle.

“While attempting to handcuff Jacob, he positioned his hands in front of his body and refused to move them to behind his body. Deputies eventually handcuffed Jacob; and as they were placing him in the rear of the police unit, he became combative, kicking the rear, passenger compartment windows. As deputies were opening the rear door in an attempt to calm Jacob, he spit on officers and also threatened them.”

Jacob was booked with felony public intimidation, felony possession of methamphetamine less than 28 grams, misdemeanor battery of a police officer, misdemeanor resisting an officer, various drug charges and traffic violations.