Lonoke County, Ark. – Aaron Spencer, the Arkansas father facing second-degree murder charges for fatally shooting a man accused of abusing his teenage daughter, has launched a bold campaign to become the Lonoke County sheriff—the same office that arrested him a year ago.
A Father’s Deadly Confrontation
The saga began in the early hours of October 8, 2024, when Spencer, a 37-year-old farmer and former Army paratrooper from near Cabot, awoke to his 14-year-old daughter’s chihuahua barking frantically. Discovering her bed empty and a stuffed animal in her place, Spencer and his wife, Heather, feared the worst. Their daughter had previously confided in a relative about being sexually assaulted multiple times by 67-year-old Michael Fosler since the spring, after meeting him at a family friend’s home. The Spencers had reported the abuse, leading to Fosler’s arrest in July 2024 on 43 felony counts, including internet stalking of a child, sexual assault, sexual indecency with a child, and possession of child pornography.
Believing a no-contact order protected their daughter, the family was devastated to learn Fosler had continued communicating with her, even sending money via Cash App days before. As deputies responded to Heather’s 911 call reporting the missing teen, Spencer set out in his Ford truck. Spotting Fosler’s white F-150 with his daughter in the passenger seat about 10 miles east of town, Spencer pursued, flashing his lights and honking. He rear-ended Fosler’s vehicle at an intersection, forcing it off the road. According to Spencer’s affidavit, as his daughter tried to flee, Fosler grabbed her and lunged at Spencer with something in his hand, yelling profanities. Spencer fired his Glock 19 until empty, then pistol-whipped Fosler, who succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in a ditch. Spencer removed his daughter, reloaded, and called 911, telling the dispatcher he had “no choice” after locating the “man who kidnapped” her.
Fosler, out on $50,000 bond and awaiting his own trial in December 2024, died at the scene. As the sole witness to many of his charges, the teenager was seen as a critical threat to Fosler’s freedom, heightening the stakes of the midnight pursuit.
Legal Battles and a Lifted Silence
Spencer was initially charged with first-degree murder but pleaded not guilty; prosecutors later reduced it to second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, which carries a potential sentence of 10 to 40 years or life. Released on $150,000 bond the next day, he has maintained his innocence, arguing self-defense and protection of his daughter under Arkansas law, which allows deadly force against imminent harm. His attorney, Erin Cassinelli, has emphasized the terror of the moment: “What parent is going to say, ‘Hey, 911. We called you a minute ago, but it turns out I found her with the guy who’s been assaulting her for months. And they took a left on the highway. I hope you can find him.'”
The case drew intense media scrutiny, prompting a December 2024 gag order from Lonoke County Circuit Court to protect the jury pool. Spencer’s team challenged it as overly broad, and in May 2025, the Arkansas Supreme Court vacated the order, deeming it an abuse of discretion. A pretrial hearing was postponed in August 2025, with Spencer’s jury trial now set for January 26, 2026.
Launching a Campaign from the Dock
On October 10, 2025—just three months before his trial—Spencer formally announced his candidacy for Lonoke County sheriff, vowing to lead the department he accuses of failing his family. In a statement shared via supporters, Spencer highlighted his desire to “end corruption from within” and prioritize child protection, drawing on his military background and personal ordeal. While a full platform is forthcoming, he has signaled a focus on reforming law enforcement to better shield victims of sexual abuse, ensuring no family endures what his has.
The ironic bid has thrust the race into the national spotlight, pitting Spencer’s story of paternal vigilance against questions of vigilante justice.
Divided Reactions and Waves of Support
Public sentiment remains sharply split. Supporters, including a Facebook group “We Support Aaron Spencer” with thousands of followers, portray him as a hero who acted when the system faltered. Online fundraisers have raised over $100,000 for his defense, with petitions garnering more than 350,000 signatures calling for dropped charges. Gun rights advocates and true crime communities have rallied, one declaring his actions “justified.” Heather Spencer has shared the family’s anguish: “This case has changed nearly every part of our daily lives … Now they’re filled with therapy appointments, legal updates and the constant focus on keeping my husband home.”
Critics, however, decry the candidacy as undermining the rule of law, arguing that a murder defendant cannot credibly seek to enforce it. Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley, whose office investigated the shooting, has called it a “tragic situation” but deferred charging decisions to prosecutors. Legal experts like John Wesley Hall predict a sympathetic jury but caution that the case tests the boundaries of self-defense.
As Spencer’s dual battles—for acquittal and office—unfold, Lonoke County braces for a contest that blends courtroom drama with electoral fire. The outcome could redefine justice in this rural Arkansas heartland, where one father’s desperation has ignited a fierce debate on protection, punishment, and power.
