(C)RICHARD-ELKINS
Things took a serious turn during what was reportedly supposed to be a routine traffic stop involving 18-year-old Alisa Hackett. Now, a newly released video and allegations outlined in a federal lawsuit have put the encounter under a much bigger spotlightand Hackett is accusing an Arkansas State Police trooper of using excessive force against her.
According to the lawsuit filed Monday, Hackett was stopped in Mississippi County, Arkansas, on Aug. 1 by trooper Moisses Arellano. The lawsuit says Hackett was unarmed and did not pose a threat when the stop turned physical. It claims Arellano slammed her to the ground and struck her in the face. The lawsuit says Hackett was stopped for what was, at most, a minor traffic offense. Her attorneys say the trooper hit her after she questioned and objected to what was happening.
Her attorneys also say Hackett pulled her arm away while Arellano was trying to handcuff her. They argue that this did not justify hitting her in the face. According to CBS News, Arellanos own use-of-force report says he struck Hackett. The report says he gave her several orders to roll over before delivering one closed-fist strike to the left side of her face. Arellano wrote that Hackett continued to resist by pulling her wrists away and refusing to roll over.
Hacketts attorney, Benjamin Crump, is calling for an investigation into the troopers use of force. Crump also spoke out about what happened. He said officers should be able to handle a traffic stop involving a teen without taking her to the ground or hitting her. The Arkansas State Police did not respond to a request for comment. NBC News also said it could not reach Arellano for comment.
Arkansas State Police have to explain to the public how that is a reasonable response to a teenager at a traffic stop, Crump shared in a statement. If you cannot handle a teenage girl without taking her to the ground, cursing at her, and punching her in the face, you should not be wearing a badge.
The lawsuit also questions what happened after the physical encounter. According to Hacketts attorneys, the trooper filed criminal charges against her in a way they say was meant to justify the force used during the stop and keep her from speaking out about what happened. Hackett was booked at the Mississippi County jail shortly after midnight on Aug. 2. She faced five charges, including improper display of tags, a vehicle-lamp violation, not wearing a seatbelt, buying or having alcohol as a minor, and refusing to submit to arrest.
