Arkansas Dad Charged With M*rder After Rescuing Daughter From Kidnapper/R*pist

As a war veteran, 36-year-old Aaron Spencer carries a deep sense of duty, loyalty, and honor.  He lives by the Marines code of selflessness and preparedness, is ready for any situation, and has no qualms about protecting those he loves. When a family friend kidnapped and raped his 14-year-old daughter, he unleashed the same protective fury he had in combat, prepared to defend her at any cost. Now, he could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

During the early morning of October 8, 2024, Spencer and his wife awoke to their teenage daughter’s dog barking. They checked things out; their daughter was gone from her bed. Aaron hopped in his truck to search for her while his wife called the police.

Down the road from his house, Aaron ran into a vehicle driven by 67-year-old Michael Fosler, a family friend. He saw his teenage daughter sitting in the passenger seat. Aaron rammed Fossler’s vehicle, got out, and rescued his daughter.

Fosler attacked Aaron and his daughter as they walked back to his vehicle.  His training as a soldier kicked in and without hesitation, Aaron retrieved his handgun and fatally shot Fosler.

Spencer knew he was dealing with a dangerous, obsessive man.

Months earlier, Fosler had groomed and raped his daughter. She was 13 years old at the time.  Nine criminal charges including sexual assault were filed against him, but he posted bond. He had another case of sexual abuse against another victim in another county in Arkansas at the time.

Fosler was scheduled for trial in December 2024. 

A No Contact order was in place at the time of the kidnapping, but it did not stop Fosler from stalking and contacting the teenager by phone numerous times before the abduction occurred. 

The Lonoke County prosecutor, who decides if charges should be filed against an individual, chose to file second-degree murder charges against this heroic father. He was arrested but later released after posting a $150,000 bond.

On December 2, 2024, Spencer pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge against him. Spencer acted in self-defense to protect his family. He could only imagine what the old pervert would do with his daughter -- again. Undeterred by any possible criminal charges, he saved his daughter’s life.

Lonoke County allowed a repeated sexual offender to make bail, failing to protect the victim, an innocent teenager.

Despite the county's own failures to protect and the fact that Spencer acted heroically to save his daughter, the prosecutor has made it clear he wants to see Spencer behind bars, according to attorneys Erin Cassinelli and Michael Kiel Kaiser. They say the prosecutor has attacked Spencer in the most vicious ways, raising questions regarding his use of his legally owned firearm and bringing up his service for the country.

Charging a man with a crime after he protected his child from the man who previously attacked her and had another young victim is simply an injustice. He was only trying to defend his child from a known threat, an old, perverted sexual offender. Instead of being supported for his actions, he's being penalized.

Aaron Spencer should not be charged with a crime in this case.

Can we focus on victims and their rights rather than criminals who continue terrorizing innocent people? Sure, charging people with crimes brings money in for the county, but penalizing people for protecting themselves and their families is a systemic failure.

"Second-degree murder is a criminal homicide that involves intent to kill or extreme recklessness."

Spencer intended to protect his daughter, not kill anyone. Given the circumstances, he did not act recklessly.

Let's take time to ensure this teenager receives legal protection, support from her family, and empowerment to grow into an amazing woman. This starts by addressing the root cause of crime. Follow up by ensuring Aaron Spencer is not prosecuted for defending his daughter. She needs him more than ever during this difficult time.