Arrest near Fort Myers Beach brings attention to Florida’s transient sex offender laws

The man arrested in connection with the disappearance of a teenager near Fort Myers Beach over the weekend has been released from jail after posting bond early Friday morning.

Worden Bourn was arrested on charges of marijuana possession and providing drugs to a minor. He is also a registered sex offender.

Bourn’s arrest has raised questions about how Florida tracks sex offenders who do not have a permanent place to live — a category known under state law as “transient” sex offenders.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Bourn’s last reported location placed him living on a boat near the area where the missing teen was found Sunday. The Town of Fort Myers Beach confirmed the boat was not anchored within the town’s official mooring field and that Bourn was not registered with the city.

Because Bourn does not have a permanent address, Florida law considers him a transient sex offender, which comes with additional reporting requirements.

“When you're a homeless person or a transient, and you're a registered sex offender, you're required to report to the sheriff's office wherever you live,” said attorney Daniel Garza. “You have to provide the area that you may be living or staying at, what times you're going to be there, and you're required to do that every 30 days.”

Under Florida law, transient sex offenders must regularly check in with law enforcement, document where they are staying, and ensure they are not located near schools, parks, or daycare centers. Even technical violations of registration requirements can result in new criminal charges.

“Failure to register as a sex offender — that is a crime in and of itself,” Garza said. “It's a third-degree felony that can obviously wrap you up in the legal system.”

Garza also noted that Florida’s registration laws are stricter than those in many other states.

“You may have somebody who committed a crime in another state that does not require registration there,” he explained. “But if they move to Florida, that same crime may require them to register as a sex offender.”

Bourn was convicted in Alaska in 2004 on charges of kidnapping and sexual abuse of a minor. After his release, he moved to Florida, where he was arrested in Monroe County in 2022 for failing to register as a sex offender.

Florida law also requires individuals to register if they stay in the state for more than three days — even if it is only temporarily.

“In Florida, if you take up residence here for more than three days, even if you're on vacation, you're required to register,” Garza said.

WINK News attempted to contact Bourn directly for comment. Calls went to voicemail, and emails went unanswered.

Authorities have not said sexual abuse is part of the current investigation. The case remains active.