An 8-year-old boy abducted in Stockton, California was reunited with his mother Thursday after being rescued in Golden Valley. The U.S. Marshals Service said that 37-year-old Dustin Messner kidnapped his own son during an April 5 visitation arrangement with a relative.
During his two weeks on the run, Messner made numerous comments and posts to his social media accounts expressing his belief that man’s law had no authority over him and that he would not be returning his son,” a news release stated.Messner also made several threats to any law enforcement who attempted to take his son from him. These posts included video of firearms assumed to be in Messner’s possession.”
Working in conjunction with the District Attorney Investigator’s Office in San Joaquin County, California, the U.S. Marshals Service conducted an apprehension and recovery operation where Messner owns property on Joseph Drive in Golden Valley. Public Affairs Supervisory Deputy John Buckley said officers safely secured the boy before Messner surrendered without incident on Wednesday.
“Armed fugitives that have abducted a child and is defiant to lawful orders places the community and law enforcement in harm’s way and must remain a priority,” said United States Marshal David Gonzales. “The US Marshals led task force members were joined by local and federal agencies who executed a plan that safely took custody of the child before arresting Messner, who will now be sent to California to answer for his crimes.”
Messner was booked into the Mohave County Adult Detention Center in Kingman on a child custody deprivation warrant. He awaits extradition.
