Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The squeaky wheel gets the grease because the sheriff's office said that because of the sheer volume of calls that they were getting, they couldn't ignore it." — Ashley Flowers (highlighting family advocacy)
The episode investigates the parallel disappearances of Terrence Williams and Felipe Santos in Naples, Florida, with a central focus on Deputy Steve Calkins. Terrence Williams went missing in January 2004 after being last seen leaving a party. His car was later found towed from a cemetery. Cemetery workers reported seeing Deputy Calkins with Terrence, placing him in the back of his patrol car. Initially, Deputy Calkins claimed no recollection of the incident, but later provided conflicting accounts, stating he'd pulled Terrence over for a car issue and offered him a ride to a Circle K. However, security footage from the Circle K showed neither Terrence nor Deputy Calkins present.
Similarly, Felipe Santos disappeared in October 2003 after a minor car accident. Witness accounts and Deputy Calkins's own statement indicated he placed Felipe in his patrol car. Calkins again claimed he dropped Felipe off at a Circle K. Felipe's family also filed a missing person report and a complaint against Calkins. Both men had prior issues with their driver's licenses. Despite internal affairs investigations and polygraph tests, Deputy Calkins's story consistently evolved and lacked corroborating evidence, particularly with the absence of his presence on security footage.
The investigation into Deputy Calkins revealed inconsistencies, including his initial denial of knowing Terrence's name despite later requesting a background check. Further analysis of dispatch recordings showed Calkins making disparaging remarks and misrepresenting the circumstances of finding Terrence's car. While Calkins was eventually fired for untruthfulness and conduct unbecoming of an officer, investigators reportedly lacked sufficient proof to charge him with any wrongdoing in the disappearances. Theories presented include foul play by Calkins, potentially due to frustration with individuals lacking licenses, or the practice of "Starlight Tours," where individuals are abandoned in remote locations. The cases remain open, with rewards offered for information.