News Release

A Benton man was arrested early Wednesday morning for fifth-offense marijuana possession and resisting with force, said Bossier Sheriff Larry Deen.

Thomas James Knowles, 23, of the 100 block of Pine Needle Drive, was taken into custody when a Bossier Sheriff’s deputy saw the car Knowles was driving drifting back and forth in his lane, then ride close to the center line. A traffic stop was initiated, and when contact with Knowles was made, a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from the vehicle.

Consent to search the vehicle was denied, so the deputy called for K-9 backup, and the K-9 exhibited a strong odor response on the passenger side door, center console area and back passenger floorboard area. Knowles said there were no narcotics in the vehicle, but a search of the 2006 Nissan Altima yielded marijuana and a marijuana seed.

At that point, the deputy attempted to detain Knowles for officer safety, but he forcefully attempted to pull away from the deputy. Eventually, he was detained, and a further search of the vehicle resulted in finding a marijuana roach. Knowles said the roach was not his.

Knowles was transported to the Bossier Maximum Security Facility and booked. He was released on a $25,000 bond.