Registered Sex Offender Case Continued Again

Worden Bourn, accused of providing drugs and alcohol to a minor in his boat anchored off Fort Myers Beach, had his case continued for the second time. His new court days is now Monday, February 16th at 8:30AM.

Back in December a large search took place in the water off of Fort Myers Beach when a 17-year old paddle boarder was reported missing. Hours later the Lee County Sheriff’s department reported the teen was found on a boat owned by Bourn and anchored just off Bowditch Beach (not in the town’s mooring field).

Upon further investigation, LCSO learned the missing teen was found to be intoxicated and under the influence of narcotics on Bourn’s sailboat. Bourn, a registered sex offender from an arrest in Alaska, was arrested by LCSO and charged with a felony: sale or delivery of a controlled substance to a person under 18 and possession of Tetrahydrocannabinol (under 20 grams). He was also charged with 4 counts of failing to register as a sex offender, all felony charges.

During their investigation back in December, LCSO detectives met with the teen and obtained a statement documenting the incident. “During the statement, the missing juvenile described going out paddling and meeting Bourn as he was passing. They spoke briefly before Bourn invited the missing juvenile on the boat. After a conversation, which included the missing juvenile stating he was seventeen, Bourn provided him with alcohol to drink. Bourn stated to the juvenile, don’t tell your parents. While consuming numerous alcoholic beverages, Bourn provided marijuana to the missing juvenile to smoke. Also during the encounter, Bourn and the missing juvenile swapped cellular numbers so they could later communicate.”

Bourn was bonded out of jail for $27,000 and has been spotted several times on Fort Myers Beach since his arrest.

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