Naples Florida

Marcia Williams, mother of Missing Terrence Williams hosted the stop (10/9/13 2:30pm) on the corner of 111th and Vanderbilt in Naples, Fl. in honor of Terrance, Missing Felipe Santos and Unsolved Homicide Victim Francisco Cuevas. The location was chosen because it is the place that Terrance was last seen. We spread out onto the four corners of the street with banners, signs, and posters. We also handed out flyers to passing motorists.

Terrance went missing in 2004 at the age of  27. He may have had car trouble, or he was just stopped by Collier County Sherriff's Deputy Corporal Steven Henry Calkins. Terrance could have been cited by Calkins for up to 6  moving violations, from not having a license to an expired registration, yet he received none. Calkins claims he dropped Terrance off at a nearby Circle K store, but there is no evidence to support his claim, and Terrance has not been seen since. Calkins returned to Terrance's vehicle and called it in to ask for  a tow in a recorded conversation rife with racist dialect.

Felipe Santos was a 24 year old illegal immigrant when he disappeared in 2003. He was involved in a minor traffic accident when Collier County Sheriff's Deputy Corporal Steven Henry Calkins arrived at the scene, cited Felipe, put him in the back of his patrol car and drove off. When Felipe's boss attempted to bail him out of jail that same day, there was no record of Felipe having being booked. Calkins claims to have changed his mind about the arrest and now says he dropped Felipe at a nearby Circle K. Felipe has not been seen since.

Francisco Cuevas was last seen alive at his business in Pompano Beach, Florida in 2007. He was 47 years old. 5 months later a metal box with partial remains inside was found in Palm Beach Gardens, near where "Franky" had job sites. It took another 2 months before the remains were identified as Franky's. His vehicle was located 5 miles from another job site, with neighbors saying it had been parked there the entire 9 months. Recently, Franky's business partner was arrested and charged with first degree murder and armed kidnapping. Gustavo Enamorado-Dubon is currently being held pending trial. Francisco's family remains committed to locating ALL of his remains.

I had planned on holding a rally stop for Mathew in 2006. When his remains were found, I decided to attend the rally stop in Naples. And that is when I first met Marcia. We bonded pretty quickly. We met again at the 2007 CUE National Conference. Marcia was giving a speech at victim's hour, and Mathew was being honored at the candlelight vigil (meaning I had to give a speech also). Marcia fretted all weekend about her speech, I ignored the fact that I had to give one. We supported one another and both survived. I've watched Marcia as she fights for her son. I know too well that if you do not fight for your child no one will. She has also "adopted" Felipe's family, making sure to include them in everything she does. She has found her voice and uses it well. In fact, last year when I traveled to Naples for a large press conference about Tyler Perry posting a reward she sat poised on the podium and spoke very well (although I know she's still just as nervous).

Margarita Goedeke, Franky's mother is another fighter. We've met before at conferences and I will be attending the vigil she is hosting next month. She will continue until she gets total resolution and justice for her child. Her large family traveled to Naples for the rally and they also have  a website  Justiceforfranky.com.

Most of Felipe's family is in Mexico, including his  wife and daughter.  His brother remains here seeking resolution and justice. He filed a complaint against Calkins after Felipe's disappearance but at that time Calkins was quickly cleared of any wrongdoing.  He's been to every event I've attended honoring both Terrance and Felipe.

It's taken years and a lot of pressure but Calkins has finally (at least) been fired by the Sherriff's office. He maintains his innocence, once calling his involvement in the 2 cases "coincidence extreme". He has not been charged in either case.

Elisa