Ben Crump Retained by Alisa Hackett Hours After Federal Lawsuit Filed

Hackett notified attorney Luther Sutter of the change in representation hours after he filed her civil rights case Monday morning.

JONESBORO, Ark. — National civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been retained by Alisa Hackett, the 18-year-old woman shown being taken to the ground and punched in the face by an Arkansas State Police trooper during an Aug. 1 traffic stop near Manila.

The announcement came hours after attorney Luther Sutter filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Monday morning on Hackett’s behalf in the Jonesboro Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.

The case is Hackett v. Arellano, No. 3:26-cv-00230.

Sutter told NEA Report that Hackett sent him a letter Monday afternoon terminating his representation and notifying him that she had retained Crump.

“I wish them luck, and she’s entitled to the lawyer of her choice,” Sutter said.

Crump is one of the nation’s most recognizable civil rights attorneys. He has represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, among other high-profile clients. He has frequently handled cases involving allegations of police misconduct and racial injustice. Crump’s official biography lists those cases among his notable work.

Crump’s law firm announced the new representation Monday afternoon. Crump is calling on Arkansas State Police to open a use-of-force investigation through its Office of Professional Standards, make the findings public and release any previous use-of-force reports involving Trooper Moisses Arellano.

“This trooper slammed an 18-year-old girl to the ground and punched her in the face,” Crump said. “He wrote it down himself: a closed fist, because she would not roll onto her stomach.”

Crump said Arkansas State Police must explain how the trooper’s response was reasonable during a traffic stop involving a teenager.

ASP Spokesperson Cindy Murphy told NEA Report on Monday that thus far, no records were available pertaining to any actions taken toward the trooper.

“We do not confirm Office of Professional Standards investigations until and unless an OPS review results in the suspension or termination of an employee,” Murphy wrote in response to a FOIA request.

Lawsuit Alleges Excessive Force and Retaliation

The lawsuit filed Monday names Arellano in his individual capacity and alleges violations of Hackett’s First and Fourth Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

The first count accuses Arellano of using excessive force when he took Hackett to the ground and punched her in the face. The second count alleges First Amendment retaliation, arguing that Arellano used force because Hackett questioned the reason for the stop and criticized his actions.

The complaint alleges Hackett’s questions and criticism constituted protected speech. It claims the punch was punitive retaliation for what the trooper perceived as Hackett’s poor attitude or refusal to submit unquestioningly to his authority.

“The difference here was Ms. Hackett’s speech,” the complaint states.

The filing also argues that Arellano is not entitled to qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that can shield government officials from personal liability in civil lawsuits.

Hackett’s complaint argues that clearly established law prohibited using gratuitous or punitive force against a nonviolent, nonfleeing person who did not pose an immediate threat. It further argues that no reasonable officer could have believed he was permitted to punch someone for questioning or criticizing him.

Hackett is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, attorney’s fees, expert fees, expenses, court costs and interest. She has also requested a jury trial.

The complaint does not name Arkansas State Police or the state of Arkansas as defendants.

Stop and Arrest Captured on Video

Arellano reported stopping Hackett after clocking her traveling 71 mph in a 60 mph zone. Hackett reportedly told the trooper that her vehicle’s window was broken and she was attempting to get home.

According to Arellano’s report, he initially intended to issue citations but changed course after speaking with another trooper who had stopped Hackett several days earlier and allegedly found an open container in her vehicle.

Arellano wrote that Hackett became argumentative, threw a clipboard toward him and resisted when he attempted to place her in handcuffs.

The trooper’s use-of-force report states that he took Hackett to the ground and delivered a closed-fist strike to the left side of her face after she refused to roll onto her stomach. He then drew his Taser and activated its laser without firing it, according to the report.

Dashcam video obtained and first reported by NEA Report shows Hackett crying out for help and asking to call her mother. She tells Arellano that he cannot punch her. The trooper responds with profanity and warns that he will strike her again if she does not turn around.

Mississippi County jail records show Hackett was booked at 12:51 a.m. Aug. 2 on charges of improper display of tags, violating a restriction on vehicle lamps, failure to wear a seat belt, purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor, and refusal to submit to arrest.

Those criminal charges remained pending when Crump announced that he had been retained.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and all civil allegations remain unproven unless established through the legal process.