Arkansas Trooper Faces Civil Rights Suit After Punching 18-Year-Old During Aug. 1 Traffic Stop
Updated
Updated · CBS New York · Aug 12
Arkansas Trooper Faces Civil Rights Suit After Punching 18-Year-Old During Aug. 1 Traffic Stop
3 articles · Updated · CBS New York · Aug 12
Summary
Newly released dashcam video shows Arkansas trooper Moisses Arellano taking 18-year-old Alisa Hackett to the ground and punching her in the head during an Aug. 1 stop near Manila.
Arellano wrote that he used one "closed-fist strike" after Hackett, stopped for driving 71 mph in a 60-mph zone, pulled away and refused commands to roll over.
The footage also captures Arellano saying, "Who said I can't punch you in your face?" and later telling Hackett he could punch her if she resisted because policy allowed it.
Ben Crump demanded a public use-of-force investigation and release of any prior force reports involving Arellano, while attorney Luther Sutter's lawsuit alleges excessive force on Hackett's behalf.
Arkansas public safety officials declined comment because the case is in litigation and did not say whether Arellano remains on active duty.