JONESBORO, Ark. — An 18-year-old Osceola woman is preparing to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against an Arkansas State Police trooper who she alleges used excessive force during a roadside arrest near Manila earlier this month.
The lawsuit, expected to be filed in the Jonesboro Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, will name Trooper Moisses Arellano as the defendant. The plaintiff, Alisa N. Hackett, is represented by attorney Luther Oneal Sutter of Sutter & Gillham PLLC. Court records reviewed Monday, August 10, did not yet reflect the filing, as the complaint had not been docketed.
The suit will be brought under Section 1983 of federal civil rights law and alleges two constitutional violations: excessive force under the Fourth Amendment and retaliation for protected speech under the First Amendment. The complaint asserts that Arellano acted unlawfully by striking Hackett in the face after a routine traffic stop escalated.
According to Arkansas State Police records, the incident occurred around 10:42 p.m. on August 1, when Arellano initiated a stop after clocking Hackett's car traveling 71 mph in a 60 mph zone. The vehicle’s hazard lights were activated, prompting him to investigate further. During the stop, Arellano noted several issues, including a broken car window, a plate cover obscuring Hackett’s license plate, the driver’s failure to wear a seat belt, and the presence of an unopened bottle of liquor on the front passenger seat. As an 18-year-old, Hackett was prohibited from possessing alcoholic beverages.
Arellano initially prepared citations for speeding, a seat belt violation, and possession of alcohol by a minor but reportedly decided to arrest Hackett after she allegedly tossed his clipboard back at him. Prior to making that decision, Arellano consulted another trooper, who advised that Hackett had received similar warnings just days earlier.
The official report states that Hackett exited her car without resistance but began questioning Arellano's actions as he attempted to place her in handcuffs. When she allegedly pulled her arms away, Arellano took her to the ground. The officer claimed she continued resisting his commands to roll over, leading him to deliver a closed-fist strike to the left side of her face. Hackett complied after Arellano aimed his Taser without firing it.
The complaint, however, disputes Arellano’s account, arguing that Hackett’s actions were passive and posed no immediate threat. It further alleges that Arellano escalated the encounter because Hackett questioned him verbally and accuses him of retaliating against her for filming or being filmed during the interaction. The use of force, the lawsuit claims, was unnecessary and unconstitutional.
Emergency medical personnel evaluated Hackett at the scene, and no visible injuries were noted in the police report. However, the lawsuit alleges that Hackett suffered bruising, pain, and emotional distress as a result of the encounter.
In addition to violations of her constitutional rights, Hackett’s legal team argues that Arellano’s actions were retaliatory and that similar behavior was not directed toward individuals in similar circumstances who did not verbally challenge law enforcement. The suit seeks an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees and other costs.
The Arkansas State Police have not commented on the pending litigation. Neither Arellano nor Hackett's criminal case related to the August 1 arrest appeared in official court records as of publication.
As with all legal accusations, Hackett’s claims remain unproven unless decided in a court of law, and the criminal charges she faces are accusations until adjudicated.