Missing Joliet Man Found Jailed More Than 200 Miles From Last Known Whereabouts

JOLIET, IL – A missing Joliet man whose mother reached out to media this week soliciting public help has turned up in an Iowa jail.

Pierre Fuqua, 34, of Joliet, was arrested and taken into custody on June 4, just hours after he was reportedly last seen at a Morris birthday party. His mother, Deborah Carver, begged residents earlier this week to call police if they spotted him. But The Morris Herald reported early Tuesday evening that Fuqua is facing driving under the influence charges and has been behind bars ever since.

"His bond was set at just $1,000, but (Keokouk County Iowa Deputy Jeff) Runnels said Fuqua wasn’t eager to post it and get out of jail," The Morris Herald story said. "The deputy said Fuqua wants to remain in custody until his next court date."

Carver expressed concerns about Fuqua's phone going straight to voicemail, and that he had not contacted any friends or family members or shown up to work. He is a father of two.

"I just want him home," Carver told The Herald-News.

She speculated on Tuesday that he must have been "just cruising," unaware that he was 220 miles from Morris.

"I’m not going to question it," she told The Morris Herald. "I’m happy he’s been found.”