Thayer Van Evans has been found guilty as charged, following a trial in Lee County. Evans was convicted of two counts of Unlawful Sexual Activity, Resisting an Officer without Violence, and Possession of Cocaine.
Assistant State Attorneys Michael Curley, Janesha Beckford, and Anastasia Snetkova, all part of the State Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit, prosecuted the case.
The crime happened in 2023. The defendant sexually attacked a 17-year-old victim near a park in Fort Myers. A homeless woman in the park called 911 and reported seeing a man dragging the victim into the woods.
The Fort Myers Police Department quickly arrived on scene and saw Evans as he got on a bicycle and fled the scene, riding onto a bike path along a lake. Officers kept sight of him and then began a foot chase and took the defendant into custody.
The defendant was searched and was in possession of cocaine.
The victim was transported by the Fort Myers Police Department to a hospital and for a Sexual Assault Kit to be conducted. The defendant’s DNA was located on the victim.
During the trial, the 911 call also provided key evidence in the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2024.
Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director