From a young age, children are taught about "stranger danger," even though stranger abductions are the most rare type of kidnapping. Only a small percentage of child abductions are committed by strangers who select a child at random. Most child abductions are committed by a family member--often a non-custodial parent--or a family friend or other person known to the child.

Still, stranger abductions do occur, and when a child is snatched by a stranger, it is a truly horrifying ordeal. Just over two years ago, on November 8, 2014, such a scenario played out in Ardmore, when a witness called 9-1-1 to report that he saw a girl being dragged into a silver PT Cruiser.

Police began a search for the 7-year-old girl, and they got a break early the next morning when a tipster in Marietta, some 17 miles south of Ardmore, called police to report that he or she knew someone who drove a silver PT Cruiser. 

That tip led them to the home of Fount Duston. When they arrived at Duston's home, the suspect pointed a shotgun at officers. Despite this, he was apprehended and the child was rescued and reunited with her parents.

Duston, then 34, was charged in Love County with multiple felonies, including kidnapping, first degree rape and rape by instrumentation, lewd acts with a child under 16, feloniously pointing a firearm, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and possession of child pornography.

Last month, Duston pleaded guilty to 14 felony counts. He was sentenced this week.

The defendant's attorney argued for leniency, saying that Duston was a victim of abuse who was plagued by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and mental health issues. However, the judge determined that the egregiousness of Duston's crimes merited severe sentencing.

Judge Wallace Coppedge handed down sentences for each of the 14 crimes, ranging from 5 years to life without parole. Although some of the sentences are ordered to run consecutively, the distinction is largely symbolic. With a sentence of life without parole, Fount Duston will remain behind bars for the rest of his life.

Attorneys of the defendant have filed notice of their intent to appeal.