Cape man accused of arranging to meet minor for sex
A Cape Coral man is facing multiple charges after Cape Coral police say he set up a meet with a minor for sexual activity.
Regan Anthony Beresford, 52, of 1119 SE 34th Street, has been charged with travel to meet after use computer to lure child, use computer to seduce solicit lure child and transmit info harmful to minors.
According to the CCPD, officers arrived at the 7-11 at 714 Burnt Store Road North shortly before 5 p.m. Monday after Beresford “agreed to engage in unlawful sexual conduct with a minor,” a release from the CCPD issued today states.
“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,” the release states.
The case was assigned to a detective with the department’s Major Crimes Unit who assumed the online identity of the minor and reengaged contact with 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,” the release states.
Beresford then went to the 7-Eleven to meet with the presumed minor “with the purpose of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with this minor,” police said, adding Beresford stopped at a local drug store before he arrived at 7-Eleven to purchase condoms.
He was quickly detained and later admitted to sending the messages and photos, the release states.
Beresford was transported to Lee County Jail where he remained in custody as of early Friday afternoon. Total bond, all charges, has been set at $35,000.