A Florida man was arrested after he allegedly GPS-tracked a woman he met on a dating app, followed her, and stole a teddy bear containing her son's ashes. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office arrested Justin Fountain, 31, of Palm Coast, on August 1, working with the Flagler Beach Police Department.
Alleged harassment and threats
The victim reported that Fountain, whom she met through a dating app, became controlling and aggressive. After she ended contact, he allegedly continued tracking her location and following her around Flagler County. He showed up at her workplace uninvited, and she later spotted his vehicle at her hotel. He followed her to a Culver's restaurant, where she again told him to leave her alone.
While she was at Flagler Beach, she received alerts that someone had accessed her social media accounts, which she believed Fountain did without permission. He allegedly sent her more than 100 text messages over several hours, including threats to prevent her from contacting law enforcement. Some messages read: "You need to answer my calls if you know what’s good for you" and "I’m going to destroy you."
Stolen ashes and arrest
Fountain also allegedly texted that he had stolen the teddy bear containing her son's ashes and would "burn it" if she ignored him. Deputies located Fountain and conducted a traffic stop; he said he was driving to Georgia. A search of his vehicle found the teddy bear with the ashes.
Fountain was arrested for aggravated stalking, extortion, and hindering communication with law enforcement. The Flagler Beach Police Department also charged him with unauthorized installation of a tracking device and access to an electronic device without authority.
Response and impact
Flagler Beach Police Deputy Chief Michael Schoenbrod said: "The excellent cooperation between the Flagler Beach Police Department and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is what lead to Fountain’s arrest. He was an obvious threat to the victim, and he needed to be taken off the street before he harmed her."
Sheriff Rick Staly said: "I commend the victim for coming forward despite this stalkers threats. Be extremely careful who you give access to your life. Your cell phone, laptop and residence hold banking info, social media accounts, and cherished memories. Evil, jealous and cruel men like Fountain will use anything to control their victims including extorting them with their most personal and emotional memories."
The teddy bear containing the ashes was returned to the victim. Fountain is held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility on no bond.
