A federal judge in Florida has decided that a teenager will remain in custody until his trial for the alleged sexual assault and murder of his stepsister on a cruise ship last year. Court records unsealed on Monday reveal this decision.
The order overturns a previous ruling that allowed 16-year-old Timothy Hudson to stay with an uncle while awaiting trial for the November 7, 2025, killing of Anna Kepner, aged 18. U.S. District Judge Edwin Torres, in his June 10 order, emphasized that Hudson is considered a threat to both himself and others, which cannot be mitigated by curfews or monitoring.
Hudson, indicted as an adult earlier this year, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence. Though Hudson lacks a prior criminal record and complied with release conditions, Judge Torres pointed out that the allegations suggest a significant risk of dangerous behavior. Concerns center on Hudson’s perceived lack of remorse and potential for sudden aggression, which remain despite his caretakers’ efforts.
Hudson’s legal team did not offer immediate public comment. Anna Kepner was Hudson’s stepsister after her father married Hudson’s mother in December 2024. The tragedy occurred 11 months into the family’s cruise vacation, where Kepner’s body was discovered in their shared room, hidden under a bed in blankets and covered by life vests. The medical examiner confirmed sexual assault and asphyxiation.
As reported by NBC South Florida, Hudson is currently held at Citrus County jail and has a deadline of July 10 for transfer to Miami, with the trial set to start in September. Kepner was a high school senior with aspirations to attend the University of Georgia. Her father described her as “a beautiful, bright young girl” with untapped potential and many unachieved dreams.