By Ruby Mota-Garcia
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Tuesday shared Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s announcement that retired California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Cookston has been “charged with hitting a 21-year-old woman in the face during a stop” in March of 2022.
Cookston pulled over a woman on Interstate 5 near Santa Clarita on March 2, 2022, according to the LA DA’s Office, adding, “After the 21-year-old woman exited her vehicle, an altercation occurred, and Cookston allegedly punched her in the face.” 
“The alleged behavior exhibited by this officer was reprehensible. No woman should be detained in the middle of the night and punched in the face because an officer lost his temper,” emphasized Gascón.
Former Officer Cookston has been booked on one felony count of assault and is scheduled to appear April 25 in the Foltz Criminal Justice Center for arraignment.
“Excessive force by law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County,” said District Attorney Gascón.
The case remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
