An Arkansas state trooper faces a federal civil rights lawsuit following a disputed traffic stop near Manila earlier this month that drew scrutiny for its use of force.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, names Trooper Moises Arellano as a defendant and claims he used unnecessary force against 18-year-old Alisa Hackett. During the August 1 stop, Hackett was pulled over for allegedly speeding 71 mph in a 60-mph zone, according to filings.

Attorney Ben Crump, known nationally for handling high-profile civil rights cases, is representing Hackett. The lawsuit alleges Arellano slammed Hackett to the ground and punched her in the face after she questioned why she was being arrested. Dashcam footage of the encounter, which has since been made public, captured the altercation. Hackett’s legal team argues she posed no threat.

According to court documents, Arellano initiated the arrest after reportedly seeing alcohol in Hackett’s vehicle and learning she had been stopped days earlier by another trooper, who allegedly discovered an open container. While attempting to handcuff Hackett, the complaint states, Arellano forcibly threw her to the ground and struck her.

Arellano’s own use-of-force report confirms he used a closed-fist strike during the arrest, the lawsuit claims. Hackett now faces charges related to the stop, including improper display of tags, a restriction on vehicle lamps, no seatbelt, purchase or possession of alcohol by a minor, and refusal to submit to arrest. Hackett’s legal team contends these charges were filed to justify the physical force already used.

Hackett is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Trooper Arellano remains on duty, though the Arkansas State Police (ASP) announced an inquiry into the incident. Attorney Crump has urged ASP’s Office of Professional Standards to conduct a thorough investigation, release findings to the public, and examine any prior use-of-force incidents involving Arellano.

“This trooper slammed an 18-year-old girl to the ground and punched her in the face. He wrote it down himself: a closed fist, because she would not roll onto her stomach,” Crump said in a statement. “Arkansas State Police have to explain to the public how that is a reasonable response to a teenager at a traffic stop.”

As the investigation proceeds, no timeline for its completion has been provided.