A wanted sex offender from Florida was apprehended in Cuban waters after he attempted to flee the United States after skipping a court date.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook statement on Tuesday, March 17, that Worden Bourn was arrested in December 2025 for providing a minor with drugs and alcohol. His arrest came after a missing juvenile was found intoxicated and under the influence of narcotics on his sailboat in Fort Myers Beach.
The sexual offender and predator unit conducted a detailed review of the allegations, and Bourn was charged with four sex offender violations. He was already a registered sex offender at the time of the December 2025 incident.
Deputies said that Bourn did not appear for his scheduled court date in February, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
While searching for Bourn, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office fugitive warrants unit learned that he had bought a new boat and planned to flee to Costa Rica.
Cuban officials made contact with Bourn in Cuban waters on February 26. Once he was found, he claimed his boat had run out of fuel and asked for help so that he could continue the trip.
Bourn was then detained by authorities on the outstanding failure-to-appear warrants.
Cuban officials worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshals Service in order to have Bourn extradited to the United States, according to deputies.
The U.S. Marshals Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force officially got Bourn from Cuba and brought him back to the U.S. on Monday, March 16.
He is currently in custody at the Miami-Dade County jail and is expected to be extradited to Lee County. Authorities said that Bourn will be charged with additional sex offender violations in light of his attempt to flee the U.S.
In addition to sharing the information about his arrest, police also uploaded a photo of Bourn’s mugshot via Facebook.
Those who are deemed a sex offender in the state of Florida have to follow many rules in order to not be arrested or penalized. Florida imposes residential limitations on certain registered sex offenders that vary based on the specific conviction and supervision status, according to the Flaherty Defense Firm.
Additionally, people convicted of specified offenses against victims under 16 years old must follow Florida’s statewide 1,000-foot residency restriction. The restriction prevents registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of schools, childcare facilities, parks and playgrounds. Meanwhile, those on sex-offender probation or community control may also be ordered to follow 1,000-foot limits when their victim was under 18.
Being a registered sex offender also impacts employment opportunities in Florida. However, the restrictions vary based on the person’s supervision status and specific conviction.
Sex offenders whose victims are under 18 cannot work or volunteer where children regularly congregate, according to the law firm. Some of these venues include schools, parks, libraries, theme parks and malls.
Broader lifelong employment limits may apply through licensing and screening laws. However, there’s no blanket work ban on every registered sex offender.
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