In an extraordinary turn of events, a man facing second-degree murder charges for allegedly killing his daughter’s accused rapist is now running for sheriff — and says his campaign is about restoring trust and safety in his community.
The night everything changed
In July 2024, Aaron Spencer and his wife, Heather, discovered that their 13-year-old daughter had been sexually assaulted multiple times by a 67-year-old man named Michael Fosler, whom she met through family friends.
Fosler was later arrested and charged with 43 offenses, including internet stalking and possession of child pornography. However, he was soon released on a $50,000 bond, despite a strict no-contact order.
But only days later, Fosler allegedly returned to the Spencer home in the middle of the night, took the girl, and drove off.
Heather described the terrifying moment they realized she was gone:
“It’s the middle of the night, and everything is happening in seconds. Every second counts,” she wrote on Facebook. “As I was speaking to 911, I realized that if he did have her, I might never see her again.”
The confrontation
Aaron, a 37-year-old farmer, Army veteran, and general contractor, immediately got into his truck to search for his daughter.
According to police reports, when he spotted Fosler’s vehicle on the highway, he rammed it off the road and then shot him, killing him instantly.
Aaron then called 911 and reportedly told the dispatcher that “the man who kidnapped” his daughter was “dead on the side of the road.”
He was arrested and later charged with second-degree murder. Though he has admitted to the shooting, he maintains his plea of not guilty.
From accused killer to candidate
Now, in a remarkable twist, Aaron Spencer has announced his campaign for Lonoke County Sheriff, meaning he’ll be running against the very sheriff who ordered his arrest.
In a campaign video, he said:
“Through my own fight for justice, I’ve seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our courts. I refuse to stand by while others experience the same failures.”
He continued:
“This campaign isn’t about me. It’s about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe. It’s about restoring trust — so people know law enforcement is on their side.”
Upcoming trial and election
Aaron’s trial is scheduled for January 26, 2026, just six weeks before the March 3 primary election for sheriff.
His attorney, Erin Cassinelli, told CNN she isn’t concerned that his campaign will hurt his legal case:
“The community has every right to consider Aaron’s actions — and those of its current officials — in light of what happened to his family.”
She added that the Spencers are no different from any other family in Lonoke County:
“They want leaders they can trust — who will protect them and take responsibility for their actions.”
Regardless of how the trial unfolds, Aaron Spencer’s story has ignited national debate about justice, accountability, and how far a parent might go to protect their child.