Cape Coral Man Arrested After Attempting to Meet Minor for Sex
(September 2, 2022) On September 1, 2022, at approximately 04:47 p.m. officers from the Cape Coral Police Department made contact with a male identified as Regan Anthony Beresford (W/M 10-25-1970, 1119 SE 34th Street) at 714 Burnt Store Road North (7-Eleven) after he agreed to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
The Cape Coral Police Department was first informed on July 29, 2022, that Mr. Beresford was messaging with the minor making the minor feel uncomfortable with the context of what he was saying. This case was assigned to a detective with our Major Crimes Unit who assumed the online identity of the minor and reengaged contact with Mr. Beresford. The conversation between our detective who was presumed to be the minor and Mr. Beresford quickly became sexual in nature and extended for several weeks. The context of the messages also included Mr. Beresford sending graphic photos of his genitalia.
Mr. Beresford then traveled to 7-Eleven to meet with the presumed minor with the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with this minor. Mr. Beresford stopped at a local Walgreens before he arrived at 7-Eleven to purchase condoms. On scene, he was quickly detained and later admitted to sending the messages and photos.
Mr. Beresford was subsequently transported to Lee County Jail.
Mr. Beresford was charged with the following:
* Travel to Meet After Use Computer to Lure Child F.S.S. 847.0135 (4)(a).
*Use Computer to Seduce Solicit Lure Child F.S.S. 847.0135 (3)(a).
*Transmit Info Harmful to Minors F.S.S. 847.0138(2).
