Joshua Lee Ramsey, 53, of Batesville, pled no contest in Independence County District Court to a misdemeanor charge of sexual solicitation. Ramsey, a former employee of the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, was sentenced to one year of supervised probation, a one-year suspended sentence, and ten days of community service to be completed at the rate of one day per month.
According to court documents, the case stems from an interaction between Ramsey and a woman he assisted as part of his role as a peer specialist at the Sheriff’s Department. Ramsey had gained recognition in his field, including being named Arkansas Peer Specialist in 2024 for his work aiding individuals struggling with addiction.
The victim told Batesville investigators that she first encountered Ramsey after he responded to a Facebook post she had made. He reportedly arranged for her to enter a rehabilitation program in Jonesboro to address her drug addiction. However, when she was later dismissed from the program, she contacted Ramsey, stating she was homeless. Ramsey then paid for a hotel room for her to stay in.
The woman said that while she was gathering her belongings in the motel room, Ramsey made unwanted advances. She alleged that he had undone his pants and referenced what he had done to help her, saying she felt pressured to perform a sex act so he would leave her alone.
In a subsequent interview, Ramsey denied the accusations, maintaining that the woman’s account was not accurate.
The sentence imposed includes supervised probation and community service obligations. Ramsey is no longer employed by the Izard County Sheriff’s Department.