Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office said that a Bogalusa man was arrested Wednesday after he was found with illegal drugs in his vehicle during a traffic stop.

Robert Williams Jr., 34, a resident of Avenue L in Bogalusa, was charged with two counts of possession to distribute Schedule I drugs, one count of cultivation or production of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, running a red light, switched license plate and no vehicle insurance. Bond has been set at $28,750, Haley said.

Haley said that a WPSO deputy observed a pickup truck run the red light at the intersection of Louisiana Avenue and North Columbia Street in Bogalusa on Wednesday. The deputy then activated his emergency lights and was able to stop the truck at the intersection of North Columbia and Military Road.

While approaching the vehicle, the WPSO deputy observed a leafy green plant in a plastic container in the rear of the truck, Haley said. The plant appeared to be marijuana. Also, the deputy detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the truck. It was determined that the driver had no vehicle insurance and the license plate displayed on the truck was registered to another vehicle.

Haley said that Williams exited the vehicle, at which time the deputy conducted a pat down search for officer safety. During the search, the deputy discovered a digital scale in a pocket of Williams’ trousers along with $455 in cash, Haley said.

Williams was handcuffed and placed in the rear of the deputy’s patrol vehicle. At this time, another deputy arrived on the scene and the two deputies continued searching Williams and his vehicle, discovering a solid block of marijuana weighing a total of 62.2 grams, two plastic bags containing marijuana, and 54 ecstasy pills, Haley said.

Williams had three prior stays in the Washington Parish Jail, the longest being from Dec. 13, 2013 to Dec. 28, 2014, on charges of second-degree kidnapping and aggravated rape. He was released after posting a $35,000 bond.

Williams was also in the jail in 2006 and 2007, although no detailed records are available for those times, Haley said.

“I can’t over-emphasize the good job our patrol deputies do protecting the citizens of our parish,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “While most of us are home asleep, our deputies are working throughout the parish to help keep us safe. They are an extraordinary group of men and women and I am so pleased to be their sheriff.”