LMPD: Arrests made in kidnapping and killing of Jermaine Sprewer
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Arrests have been made in the kidnapping and homicide of Jermaine Sprewer, a 25-year-old Louisville man who was found dead in September 2021, police announced in a press conference Wednesday afternoon.
Officials with the Louisville Metro Police, ATF and FBI served two warrants Wednesday morning to apprehend individuals believed to be involved with the killing of Sprewer, they said during the briefing.
Roderick Bush, 31, and Dejuan Simonton, 28, were both booked into the Louisville jail and charged with complicity in murder and complicity in kidnapping that resulted in serious physical injury. They did not have attorneys immediately listed in online court records.
During one of those arrests, ATF officers were fired at and exchanged fire with residents in a home on North 41st Street, though no one was injured, said Shawn Morrow, the special agent in charge.
More: Jermaine Sprewer updates: Coroner confirms kidnapped Louisville man's body was found
Donald Simonton, 68, was charged with attempted murder of a police officer and wanton endangerment of a police officer in the first degree.
According to Simonton's arrest citation, ATF agents identified themselves as law enforcement with a loud speaker before entering the home.
Simonton allegedly "admitted to firing three to four gun shots at a subject standing in the doorway of his front door after he heard loud knocking and the door swung open," and that "he did not know police were entering his home," the citation stated.
A week later a federal grand jury indicted Simonton on charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers and with use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Sprewer was last seen alive and in-person on Sept. 7, according to police, who issued a missing persons alert for him the next day. They said at the time he was last seen on Crockett Drive, in the Pleasure Ridge Park area.
His body was found Sept. 11 in Shawnee Park, near the boat ramp.
Prior to finding his body, LMPD said at a press conference that Sprewer's family told officers they'd gotten multiple FaceTime calls during which "assailants" demanded a ransom. Police said the family could see Sprewer "bound, with several guns pointed at him."
"During the calls, a large sum of money was demanded in exchange for his safe return," LMPD Sgt. Matt Kennington said at the press conference Sept. 9. "The family has since not heard from the assailants."
Police did not say what the ransom amount was or if Sprewer's loved ones attempted to pay it. Investigators did say it appeared the FaceTime calls came from Sprewer's phone.
Read also: Did you test positive for COVID-19? What to know about CDC's quarantine guidelines
Sprewer was a "very talented aspiring musician known as RRB Jay," and he was survived by his mom, dad, four brothers, three sisters, grandfather, other relatives and friends, according to his obituary.
"Lil Jay was small framed but had a huge heart. He was kind, soft spoken and very well mannered," the obituary says. "If you knew him, you loved him. Jay loved his family and friends and it showed in his words and everyday actions."
This story will be updated.
Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: LMPD: Arrests made in kidnapping and killing of Jermaine Sprewer
