A state trooper has been fired after his arrest on felony charges.

According to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department:

• SC Highway Patrolman John Paul Batista, 27, has been charged with assaulting a man about 11:30 pm Friday on Riglaw Circle, in a neighborhood off Platt Springs Road near White Knoll High.

• Batista stopped at a house after seeing a man in the driveway and asked what he was doing there.

• When the man said he was on a date, Batista grabbed him by the neck with both hands and slammed him into the side of his truck.

• Batista then pulled a knife and pointed it at the man he had pinned to the vehicle.

• The victim was able to take Batista to the ground and hold him to prevent him from using the knife.

• Someone came out of the house and yelled at Batista and the men separated.

• Batista was wearing a SCHP ball cap and badge which he showed to the man.

• The victim found a knife puncture in one of his tires, which was flat.

• The unidentified victim’s neck and face were injured.

• Batista is charged with aggravated assault and vandalism.

The Highway Patrol said Batista has been fired.