06/13/2026
๐ฐ๐/๐๐/๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: On 3/24/26, counsel for Sears filed a Motion for Additional Mental Examination in the pending r**e and s*x abuse case. On 4/10/26, Judge Sonny Steen entered an order setting that motion for hearing on 6/2/26.
On 4/30/26, counsel for Sears filed a separate Motion for Additional Mental Examination in the pending human trafficking case. That same day, Judge Steen entered an order granting the motion.
Following the 6/2/26 hearing, Judge Steen issued a new order denying Searsโ Motion for Additional Mental Evaluation, which resulted in conflicting orders being entered in both cases.
On 6/8/26, Judge Steen issued an Amended Order setting aside the portion of the 4/30/26 order that granted the additional mental evaluation and clarified that Searsโ motion was denied.
On 6/11/26, the State filed a Motion to Consolidate all pending cases against Host and Sears, arguing that the underlying facts in the cases involving both defendants are the same, that the offenses are of the same or similar character and conduct, and that the offenses were part of a common scheme or plan.
That motion remains pending.
Hostโs arraignment on the human trafficking charges is currently scheduled for 8/7/26. Based on the pending case schedule, it appears Searsโ arraignment may also be held that day.
If you have any information related to Jasmineโs case, please contact Etowah County District Attorney's Office.
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๐ฐ๐/๐/๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: Yesterday, Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny Steen issued an order granting Searsโs Motion for Additional Mental Examination. This will mark the third evaluation in this case.
The first evaluation was conducted on July 21, 2022. A renewed motion for mental evaluation was filed on November 28, 2023, followed by a second evaluation on December 18, 2023.
We also learned today that the most recent indictment includes two counts of human trafficking in the second degree. One of those charges is directly connected to Jasmine Calloway Host.
As this case continues to move through the court system, each development matters. We will continue to follow closely and share verified updates as they become available.
If you have any information related to Jasmineโs case, please contact Etowah County District Attorney's Office.
Because answers still matter.
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๐ฐ๐/๐๐/๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐: On March 24, 2026, Dani Bone, counsel for Rachel Sears, filed a Motion for Additional Mental Examination to Determine Competency to Stand Trial in the original case. Sears was indicted in 2022 on charges of R**e in the First Degree and Sexual Torture.
On April 1, 2026, Deputy District Attorney Marcus Reid filed a response requesting a hearing on the motion and notifying the Court of the recent indictments of Sears and codefendant Mark Host on charges of human trafficking. The response further indicates that motions to consolidate the pending cases are anticipated, as the new charges arise from the same operative facts as the original case.
On April 10, 2026, the Court set the matter for hearing on June 2, 2026. If granted, this will be the third mental examination for Sears.
The arraignment on the new charges is scheduled for 4/30/26.
**NOTE: NONE OF THESE CHARGES ARE RELATED TO JASMINE OR HER DISAPPEARANCE. **
Again, we urge anyone who had contact with Jasmine Calloway Host, Mark Host, and/or Rachel Sears to contact the Etowah County District Attorney's Office, Gadsden Police Department, or Etowah County Sheriff's Office.
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๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ
Yesterday, Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny Steen issued an order granting Searsโs Motion for Additional Mental Examination. This will mark the third evaluation in this case.
The first evaluation was conducted on July 21, 2022. A renewed motion for mental evaluation was filed on November 28, 2023, followed by a second evaluation on December 18, 2023.
We also learned today that the most recent indictment includes two counts of human trafficking in the second degree. One of those charges is directly connected to Jasmine Calloway Host.
As this case continues to move through the court system, each development matters. We will continue to follow closely and share verified updates as they become available.
If you have any information related to Jasmineโs case, please contact Etowah County District Attorney's Office.
Because answers still matter.
๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
New charges have been filed in Etowah County against Mark Host and Rachel Sears, adding to the cases that have been pending since 2021.
Host and Sears were originally arrested in November 2021 and later indicted in March 2022 on charges of R**e in the First Degree and Sexual Abuse Using an Inanimate Object. Both have remained in custody at the Etowah County Jail since that time.
In March 2026, a grand jury returned additional indictments charging both Host and Sears with two counts each of Human Trafficking in the Second Degree.
These charges are separate from the original case. The charges are also unrelated to Jasmine's disappearance.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐:
Jasmine Calloway Host has been missing from Gadsden, Alabama since September 15, 2017.
To the best of our knowledge, Host and Sears were the last known individuals to see her. In September of 2017, they relocated to Kentucky with the children, and there is no indication that Jasmine was with them.
While the newly filed charges are not directly related to Jasmineโs disappearance, they represent continued legal developments involving individuals connected to the timeline of her case.
๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐:
Trial on the original charges is currently scheduled for April 20, 2026.
Arraignment on the new human trafficking charges is scheduled for April 30, 2026.
These remain active and pending criminal proceedings, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
If you have had contact with Jasmine Host, Mark Host, or Rachel Sears, your information may be critical. Please contact Gadsden Police Department or Etowah County District Attorney's Office.
Read more about Jasmine's case on our website.
