In a case we’ve been following since 2025, State Attorney Amira Fox says Worden Leland Bourn has been found guilty on four counts of Failure to Register as a Sexual Offender for a case that started on Fort Myers Beach with a massive search for a minor.
In December 2025 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).
Bourn was originally charged with supplying a minor with alcohol and drugs. He then skipped town and headed toward Cuba. In March, SWFLCrimestoppers added Bourn to their Top Ten Most Wanted list. Bourn was eventually rearrested near Cuba by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department for skipping a scheduled court appointment.
During the 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
The jury returned the verdict after a two-day trial. The defendant was also found to be a Habitual Felony Offender.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2026