Dad accused of killing man found with teen daughter runs for sheriff in Arkansas

An Arkansas man accused of killing a 67-year-old he found with his teenage daughter is now running for sheriff.

Aaron Spencer, a Lonoke County resident and military veteran, announced he’s running for sheriff in a video shared on his campaign’s Facebook page Friday, Oct. 10.

The announcement comes about four months before he’s scheduled to stand trial, starting Jan. 26, in connection with a charge of second-degree murder, according to KATV.

Spencer is accused of shooting and killing Michael Fosler in October 2024, McClatchy News previously reported. Spencer, who was 36 at the time, reported his 14-year-old daughter missing, then found her in a vehicle with Fosler, leading to a confrontation, authorities said.

“Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and in our circuit court, and I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures,” Spencer said in his campaign announcement.

“This campaign isn’t about me. It’s about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and safe in their community. It’s about restoring trust, where neighbors know law enforcement is on their side,” he said.

Fosler, 67, had been arrested in July 2024 and faced 43 charges involving Spencer’s daughter, including sexual assault and internet stalking of a child, the Arkansas Times reported, citing court records.

At some point after Spencer reported his daughter missing, he called 911 and said Fosler was dead and that “he had no choice,” the outlet reported.

According to an affidavit, Spencer was driving when he spotted Fosler’s pickup truck with his daughter inside, then rammed the vehicle from behind, forcing it into a ditch, the outlet reported. Spencer told authorities he confronted Fosler, but Fosler charged at him with an object in his hand and Spencer opened fire, killing him, the affidavit said.

Spencer’s attorneys are “outraged” by the charges brought against him, a November statement from law firm Lassiter & Cassinelli read.

“Aaron Spencer is a decorated war hero who protected his country and a loving father whose heroic actions protected his family,” the attorneys said, calling Fosler a “predator.”

Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley declined to comment on Spencer’s case as it’s pending trial but said he will be seeking reelection.

“Since 2013, I have served as Sheriff of Lonoke County with a clear mission — to protect our citizens and hold those who break the law accountable,” Staley said in an email to McClatchy News. “My motto has been and will continue to be Do what’s right, not what’s easy. Doing what’s right isn’t always popular.”

Lonoke County is a roughly 20-mile drive east from Little Rock.

This story was originally published October 12, 2025 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Dad accused of killing man found with teen daughter runs for sheriff in Arkansas."