Aaron Spencer, who is accused of killing his daughter’s rapist, is running for sheriff in Arkansas. Aaron Spencer/Facebook
An Arkansas father who allegedly shot and killed the man accused of raping his teenage daughter is now running for sheriff — saying he was left with no choice after the justice system failed his family.
Aaron Spencer, of Lonoke County, is accused of fatally shooting 67-year-old Michael Fosler after catching him driving away with his 14-year-old daughter. Fosler had already been charged with grooming and sexually abusing the girl, according to court documents.
Spencer now faces a second-degree murder charge, but in a video posted Saturday announcing his campaign for sheriff, he said his decision to run stems from his personal experience with what he called “a broken system.”
“I’m the father who acted to protect his daughter when the system failed,” Spencer said in his announcement. “Through my own fight for justice, I have seen firsthand the failures in law enforcement and our circuit court. I refuse to stand by while others face these same failures.”
He said his campaign is about restoring faith in law enforcement and ensuring that families can trust those sworn to protect them.
“This campaign isn’t about me,” Spencer continued. “It’s about every parent, every neighbor, every family who deserves to feel safe in their homes and their communities. It’s about restoring trust—where neighbors know law enforcement is on their side and families know they won’t be left alone in a moment of need.”
He said his campaign was about “restoring justice.” Heather Spencer/Facebook
According to court filings, Spencer’s daughter went missing last October. After realizing she was gone, Spencer reportedly began driving around his neighborhood searching for her — and discovered her inside a truck being driven by Fosler, the same man previously charged with sexually abusing her.
Authorities say Spencer forced Fosler’s vehicle off the road and then shot him.
Spencer’s wife, Heather, launched an online fundraiser defending her husband, saying their daughter had been “targeted, groomed, and ultimately raped by the boyfriend of a family friend.”
“We let the justice system do its job,” she wrote. “The monster who hurt our child was charged quickly but released even faster on a $50,000 bond. He was awaiting trial for several felonies in connection to what he did to our child.”
Heather Spencer called the murder charge against her husband “outrageous,” writing that “our child would not have come home if my husband hadn’t found her.”
Spencer’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 16, with his trial set to begin January 26, 2026.
His campaign video has drawn widespread support online.
“Proud to call this man my father!” wrote his son, Malachi Spencer.
“If I could vote for you a million times, I would,” another commenter said. “I will stand with you as a Veteran and a father. We need to protect our babies.”
The Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
