- August 6, 2026
A Palm Coast man was arrested after allegedly stalking a former acquaintance, tracking her movements with GPS, stealing a teddy bear containing her son's ashes and threatening to destroy it, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.
The Sheriff's Office said deputies began investigating after the victim reported that Justin Fountain, 31, whom she had met through a dating app, became increasingly controlling and aggressive after the relationship ended. Investigators said Fountain repeatedly tracked the woman's location around Flagler County, stole the teddy bear containing her child's ashes and sent her more than 100 text messages within hours after she asked him to stop contacting her.
Deputies said the victim told them Fountain later appeared uninvited at her workplace and, after she left, she discovered his vehicle in the parking lot of the hotel where she had been staying. She fled to meet a friend at Culver's, but investigators said Fountain followed her there as well.
The victim also reported receiving alerts that someone had accessed her social media accounts without permission. Investigators said Fountain then sent messages threatening her if she contacted law enforcement, including telling her she would be arrested on a warrant and warning, "I'm going to destroy you." He also allegedly texted that he had stolen the teddy bear containing her son's ashes and would burn it if she continued ignoring him.
Using investigative techniques, deputies located Fountain traveling north on Interstate 95. During a traffic stop, they found the stolen teddy bear containing the child's ashes inside his vehicle. The bear was later returned to the victim.
Deputies arrested Fountain on charges of 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 unauthorized access to an electronic device.
"The excellent cooperation between the Flagler Beach Police Department and Flagler County Sheriff's Office is what led to Fountain's arrest," Flagler Beach Police Deputy Chief Michael Schoenbrod said. "He was an obvious threat to the victim, and he needed to be taken off the street before he harmed her."
Sheriff Rick Staly praised the victim for coming forward despite the alleged threats.
"I commend the victim for coming forward despite this stalker's threats," Staly said. "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."
