The mystery of a missing Florida girl might have been solved by the arrest of a man in Augusta, authorities in that state said Friday.

Florida's Citrus County Sheriff Jeffrey Dawsy said John "Johnny" Evander Couey, 46, has confessed to killing 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford.

Detectives said they became interested in Mr. Couey while contacting registered sex offenders who lived near the missing girl's home in Homosassa, Fla., about 60 miles north of Tampa.

Authorities said they discovered he was no longer living at his home when they tried to contact him Feb. 28, five days after Jessica disappeared.

Mr. Couey was taken into custody Thursday morning in Augusta near the Salvation Army shelter on Greene Street. Florida authorities held probation violation and failure to register as a sex offender charges at the time.

He signed a waiver of extradition Friday morning, and will be sent back to Florida to face charges there, according to Richmond County Sheriff Ronnie Strength.

Sheriff Strength said there was no indication that Mr. Couey committed crimes while he was in Augusta, and he had no apparent ties to the Augusta area. He was simply passing through on his way to Tennessee, the sheriff said.

Before his arrival in Augusta, Mr. Couey had appeared in Savannah, but authorities could not hold him there. The sheriff said Mr. Couey has been cooperative with investigators.

Reach Jeremy Craig at (706) 823-3409 or jeremy.craig@augustachronicle.com.