A teenager, now charged as an adult with sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, has surrendered to authorities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami confirmed that Timothy Hudson is in custody after a federal judge reversed his previous decision allowing Hudson’s pretrial release.
The turnaround followed the transfer of Hudson’s case to adult court. Initially, U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres permitted Hudson, then 16, to live with an uncle under electronic monitoring. This decision changed after prosecutors pushed for Hudson’s detention, citing the severity of charges. Although treated as an adult in legal proceedings, Hudson remains in a juvenile detention facility.
Judge Torres emphasized community safety in his ruling. “The Government has established, by clear and convincing evidence, that no condition or combination of conditions of release will reasonably assure the safety of the community going forward,” wrote Torres in his order.
Hudson faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse related to the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner. Federal public defenders have declined to comment. The case reached federal court as Kepner’s death occurred in international waters, beyond any state’s jurisdiction.
Kepner had traveled on the Carnival Horizon with her family, including Hudson, in November. Before the ship returned to Florida, her body was found hidden under a bed in the cabin she shared with Hudson and another teen. An autopsy revealed death by mechanical asphyxia and evidence of forcible rape, according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors argue Hudson poses a flight risk due to the potential life sentence accompanying adult charges. Hudson remained compliant with previous release conditions, noted Evan Kuhl from the Federal Public Defender’s office. However, Hudson walked free post-hearing as logistics about his detention in central Florida awaited resolution.
During the May 27 hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Lopez stressed the violent nature of Hudson’s alleged crime as grounds for detention. Kepner’s father, Christopher Kepner, expressed hope in the justice system’s capacity to reveal the truth with care and integrity.
Hudson’s charges have opened a rare federal court case involving a minor due to the nature and location of the alleged crime. Kepner, who was a vibrant high school cheerleader, received a memorial service in November where attendees donned bright colors to celebrate her ‘bright and beautiful soul.’
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