Cape Coral man arrested for sex act with a minor

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson
Published: Updated:
Photo courtesy of Cape Coral Police Department.

A former Lee County Public Schools employee was arrested after a minor accused him of committing a sex act.

On Friday, Cape Coral Police Department arrested Alfredo Escalera, 24, for committing a sex act on a victim 12 to 16 years old.

According to the Cape PD press release, Escalera came to the police department and based upon gathered evidence, police arrested him.

In November 2018, a school resource officer was told about a past child sexual encounter involving a student victim. Escalera was identified as the suspect.

The principal and school guidance counselor told the SRO, that the student had told friends what happened, which led to the adults finding out as well.

The student connected with Escalera using the Snapchat app, contacting Escalera to buy “vape pods” and “vape juice.”

A detective began investigating and discovered the victim knew Escalera for approximately one month. All contact between them was initially through Snapchat.

According to the press release, Escalera committed a sex act on the victim during an in-person transaction for the items.

Law enforcement said evidence through Snapchat delayed the investigation because initial communication through the app disappears, so it takes lonnger to recover that information.

The school district said Escalera stopped working as an employee in 2017, but it would not reveal his occupation.

Escalera faces a charge for Lewd and Lascivious Behavior (Victim 12-16 years old).

Escalera is behind bars at Lee County Jail. Bond is set at $200,000.

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