Joshua Lee Ramsey, 53, of Batesville, a former employee of the Izard County Sheriff’s Department, pleaded no contest in Independence County District Court to a misdemeanor charge of sexual solicitation.
The court sentenced Ramsey to a one-year suspended sentence, one year of supervised probation, and 10 days of community service, to be completed at a rate of one day per month.
According to officials, Ramsey previously worked as a peer specialist for the sheriff’s department, helping individuals struggling with addiction. In 2024, he was recognized as Arkansas Peer Specialist for his contributions.
The case against Ramsey stemmed from allegations made by a woman who told investigators she met him after he responded to a Facebook post she had published. The woman said that Ramsey later helped her enter a rehabilitation program in Jonesboro to address her drug addiction. After being removed from the program, she reported being homeless and contacted Ramsey, who paid for her to stay in a hotel.
The woman told Batesville investigators that during her stay at the hotel, Ramsey entered the room as she gathered her belongings. She claimed that Ramsey had undone his pants and commented on how much he had done to assist her. Feeling pressured and wishing to end the encounter, the woman reported performing a sexual act to make him leave.
During an interview with authorities, Ramsey denied the woman’s account.
The sentencing follows Ramsey’s plea to the misdemeanor charge. No additional information about future legal or employment consequences was available at the time of this report.