A Florida man has been arrested after authorities say he stalked a woman following the end of their brief relationship, repeatedly threatened her through text messages, tracked her movements, and allegedly stole a teddy bear that contained the ashes of her deceased son.
Justin Fountain, 31, is facing multiple criminal charges, including cyberstalking, illegal use of a tracking device, and accessing a computer without authority, according to court records.
The investigation is being handled by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Relationship Lasted Only a Few Weeks
According to a probable cause affidavit, the victim had recently moved from Virginia to Florida and met Fountain online.
The two began casually dating, but the relationship lasted only a few weeks.
Investigators say the woman decided to end the relationship after Fountain allegedly became verbally aggressive and attempted to control various aspects of her daily life.
She reportedly told Fountain she no longer wished to see him, asked him to stop contacting her, and requested that he return a spare key to the hotel room where she was staying in Palm Coast.
Police Say Suspect Continued Following Her
Authorities allege Fountain refused to accept the breakup.
According to the victim, he unexpectedly appeared at her workplace after the relationship ended.
Later, when she returned to her hotel, she allegedly found Fountain’s vehicle parked outside.
Trying to avoid him, the woman left with a friend to eat at a Culver’s restaurant.
Investigators say Fountain also showed up there and attempted to speak with her.
After leaving the restaurant, the victim and her friend went to a nearby beach.
Social Media Accounts Accessed
While at the beach, the woman began receiving alerts indicating that someone was accessing her social media accounts.
According to investigators, she immediately suspected Fountain.
The affidavit states that she believed he had learned her passwords after allegedly taking her phone while she was asleep during their relationship.
Police later charged Fountain with unauthorized access to a computer or electronic account.
Teddy Bear Containing Son’s Ashes Missing
When the woman returned to her hotel room, she discovered that a teddy bear containing the ashes of her deceased son had disappeared.
Investigators allege Fountain had taken the keepsake.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly condemned the alleged theft, saying he could not imagine someone stealing an item containing a loved one’s cremated remains.
He described the alleged act as especially disturbing.
Alleged Threatening Messages
According to investigators, Fountain repeatedly sent threatening text messages after the breakup.
Police say the messages included statements such as:
“You need to answer my calls if you know what’s good.”
In another message, he allegedly wrote:
“I’m going to destroy you.”
Authorities also say he sent another message stating:
“I will not go away peacefully. I’ll make every day of your life a living hell. I promise you.”
Investigators allege Fountain also referenced the stolen teddy bear in one message, threatening to set it on fire within seconds.
Dozens of Calls and Messages
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Fountain repeatedly attempted to contact the victim after she told him to stop.
Investigators allege he:
- Called her approximately 60 times
- Used multiple phone numbers
- Sent more than 50 text messages
Police say the repeated communications formed part of the cyberstalking investigation.
Suspect Allegedly Mentioned Police Report
After learning the woman had contacted law enforcement, Fountain allegedly sent another message claiming he had informed police about outstanding warrants she supposedly had in Virginia.
According to investigators, he told her:
“They’re on their way to get you.”
Authorities have not indicated whether any such warrants actually existed.
Arrested After Sharing His Own Location
Following the investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Fountain.
Ironically, investigators say locating him became easier because he allegedly sent text messages that included photographs displaying his GPS location.
Deputies used that information to find and arrest him.
Bond and Court Date
As of Tuesday afternoon, Fountain remained in custody at the Flagler County Jail.
Court records show his bond has been set at $61,000.
His next scheduled court appearance is Sept. 1.
The allegations against Fountain remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation into the alleged stalking and theft remains ongoing.
