Key facts
- Timothy Hudson, 16, surrendered to U.S. Marshals after his pretrial release was revoked.
- Hudson faces adult charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner.
- The alleged crimes occurred on a Carnival Cruise ship in international waters.
- A federal judge ruled that no conditions of release could reasonably assure the safety of the community.
- Hudson will be held in a juvenile facility pending trial.
A teenager accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship has surrendered to federal authorities after a judge revoked his pretrial release. Timothy Hudson, 16, now faces adult charges and will be held in an approved juvenile facility.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres ordered Hudson to surrender to U.S. Marshals, reversing an earlier decision from February that allowed the teen to live with an uncle under electronic monitoring. The transfer to adult court in April prompted prosecutors to seek Hudson's detention, arguing that no conditions of release could ensure community safety.
Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. The alleged incident occurred in November on the Carnival Horizon ship. Kepner's body was found concealed under a bed in a room she shared with Hudson and another teen. The cause of death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia.
Prosecutors argued that the severity of the alleged crimes, including a violent rape and strangulation, warranted detention. They also cited Hudson as a flight risk, given the potential for a life sentence as an adult, compared to a release at age 21 if tried as a juvenile.
Hudson's defense attorney had argued that he had complied with release conditions for months. Kepner's father expressed trust in the justice system during this "deeply painful and complex" situation.