NEWS RELEASE
Stalker Tracks Former Acquaintance and Steals Sons’ Ashes
Date:Wednesday, August 5, 2026
BUNNELL, Fla. — On Saturday, August 1, 2026, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, working closely with the Flagler Beach Police Department, arrested a Palm Coast man as he GPS-tracked and followed his victim around Flagler County.
Deputies responded to the Flagler Beach Police Department, where a victim reported that a man she had met though a dating app had become increasingly controlling and aggressive. According to the victim, Justin Fountain, 31, of Palm Coast, tracked her location, followed her around Flagler County, and stole her child’s ashes from her despite her asking him to stop contacting her. Fountain also texted the victim over 100 times in the hours that followed.
Justin Fountain (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility Mugshot)
The victim told deputies that after she broke contact with Fountain, he showed up at her place of work without warning and without invitation. The victim again told Fountain to stop following her, but when she returned to the hotel she had been staying at, she saw Fountain’s vehicle in the parking lot.
Upon seeing Fountain’s vehicle at the hotel, the victim fled to Culvers to meet with a friend. Fountain then showed up at Culvers and attempted to talk to the victim. Again, she told Fountain to leave her alone.
According to the victim, she then went to Flagler Beach to get away from Fountain. While at the beach, she received alerts that someone had signed into her social media accounts. The victim had not given Fountain permission to access her social media accounts, and believed that he had gained access to them while she was sleeping.
Fountain then texted the victim threats to stop her from contacting law enforcement — including saying that she would be arrested on a warrant if she contacted law enforcement. Fountain sent other threats including, “You need to answer my calls if you know what’s good for you” and “I’m going to destroy you.”
Around the same time, Fountain sent text messages to the victim stating that he had stolen the teddy bear, which contained the victim’s sons’ ashes, and that he would “burn it” if she continued to ignore him.
Though investigative means, deputies were able to locate Fountain northbound along I-95, where they conducted a traffic stop. Fountain stated he was driving to Georgia. During a search of his vehicle, deputies located the stolen teddy bear containing the victim’s sons’ ashes.
Deputies arrested Fountain for aggravated stalking, extortion, and hindering communication with law enforcement.
The Flagler Beach Police Department also charged Fountain with unauthorized installation of a tracking device and access to electronic device without authority.
“The excellent cooperation between the Flagler Beach Police Department and Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is what lead to Fountain’s arrest,” said Flagler Beach Police Deputy Chief Michael Schoenbrod. “He was an obvious threat to the victim, and he needed to be taken off the street before he harmed her.”
“I commend the victim for coming forward despite this stalkers threats,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “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 victim’s sons’ ashes was returned to the victim.
Deputies transported Fountain to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where he is being held on no bond.
See video of Fountain’s Arrest.
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