18-Year-Old Sues Arkansas State Trooper After Dashcam Shows Her Slammed and Punched During Traffic Stop

Alisa Hackett, an 18-year-old from Mississippi County, Arkansas, has filed a civil lawsuit against Arkansas State Trooper Moisses Arellano after dashcam footage of an Aug. 1 traffic stop showed the trooper taking her to the ground and striking her. Attorney Ben Crump has joined Hackett's legal team as public officials, civil-rights groups and residents have demanded answers.

What Happened

According to the complaint and publicly released dashcam video, Arellano pulled Hackett over for an alleged speeding violation while her hazard lights were on. Authorities say the trooper attempted to place Hackett under arrest after she questioned the stop and refused an order. Video footage appears to show a physical struggle during which Hackett says she merely pulled away when officers tried to handcuff her.

Hackett alleges that Arellano then slammed her to the pavement and struck her in the face. In the recording, she can be heard crying that the trooper "could not punch her in the face," and the officer appears to reply, "Say who? Who said I can't punch you in the face?" At another point he is heard saying, "If you resist, I can punch you. I can read you the policy." The state use-of-force report reportedly notes the trooper used a "closed fist" because Hackett would not roll onto her stomach.

Charges and Claims

Hackett was ultimately charged with several offenses, including:

• Resisting arrest
• Purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor
• Speeding (1–15 mph over the limit)
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Improper display of license tags
• Improper use of emergency lights

In her lawsuit Hackett names Trooper Arellano personally and alleges excessive force, battery, two civil-rights violations, a First Amendment violation and abuse of process. The suit asks the court to hold the trooper accountable for his actions and to provide appropriate relief under the law.

Public Reaction and Calls For Investigation

The Drew County branch of the NAACP said it was "deeply concerned" after reviewing the video and the Arkansas State Police use-of-force report. The organization called for the immediate release of all complete, unedited recordings of the incident, an independent investigation, dismissal of the charges against Hackett, and a broader review of whether department policies were followed.

"The public deserves to know why this encounter escalated and whether the force used was necessary and consistent with Arkansas State Police policy," the Drew County NAACP said.

Attorney Ben Crump criticized the trooper's conduct and questioned whether punching a teenage girl could be considered a reasonable use of force. "This trooper slammed an 18-year-old girl to the ground and punched her in the face," Crump said, noting the use-of-force report's reference to a "closed fist." He urged the Arkansas State Police to explain how the actions captured on video were justified.

The case has drawn swift local and national attention, prompting demands for transparency and an independent review of the arrest and the department's policies. The lawsuit is ongoing and may prompt further administrative or criminal inquiries as investigators, legal counsel and community leaders examine the available evidence.