Judge Declines Teen Trial
A federal judge in Miami has declined, for now, to jail a Florida teenager accused of sexually assaulting and killing his 18-year-old stepsister aboard a Carnival cruise ship during a 2025 family vacation in the Caribbean.
The case has attracted national attention because of the disturbing allegations, the defendant’s age, and the unusual legal circumstances surrounding a homicide investigation that unfolded in international waters.
According to court proceedings this week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres ruled that 16-year-old Timothy Hudson may remain under strict supervised release while the court continues reviewing whether he should eventually be detained before trial. Hudson is currently living with relatives under electronic GPS monitoring and is prohibited from leaving the home without adult supervision.
Federal prosecutors argued that Hudson should immediately be jailed after being indicted as an adult on charges including first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Prosecutors told the court they believe the teenager poses a danger to the community, particularly because he is currently living in a household with other minors.
Judge Torres stopped short of ordering detention during Wednesday’s hearing, saying he wanted additional information from the U.S. Marshals Service about possible housing arrangements closer to Hudson’s family in central Florida before making a final determination.
During the hearing, Torres reportedly acknowledged the severity of the allegations but noted the complexities involved in incarcerating a juvenile defendant before trial.
The victim, Anna Kepner, was found dead aboard the Carnival Horizon cruise ship in November 2025 during what was supposed to be a six-day family vacation. Investigators allege she was strangled and sexually assaulted inside a cabin shared with Hudson and another sibling. Her body was later discovered concealed beneath a bed.
Federal prosecutors say evidence collected during the investigation includes DNA evidence, cellphone data, and statements allegedly made by Hudson after the incident. Court filings accuse him of intentionally hiding Kepner’s body after the killing. Hudson has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case landed in federal court because the alleged crimes occurred aboard a cruise ship traveling in international waters, placing the investigation under federal jurisdiction instead of state authorities. Legal experts say juvenile prosecutions in federal court are relatively rare, making the proceedings especially unusual.
Earlier this year, prosecutors successfully moved to have Hudson charged as an adult, dramatically increasing the potential consequences if he is convicted. As a juvenile, he could have faced release at age 21. Under adult prosecution, he now faces the possibility of life in prison.
Recently unsealed court records revealed additional details from the investigation. Prosecutors allege Kepner entered the family cabin on the evening of Nov. 6, 2025, and never emerged. Authorities say Hudson remained inside the room for extended periods afterward while other family members were unaware that her body had allegedly been hidden beneath the bed.
The case has also sparked emotional reactions from Kepner’s family, some of whom have publicly criticized earlier court decisions allowing Hudson to remain out of jail pending trial. Prosecutors echoed those concerns in court this week while arguing for detention.
Hudson’s defense attorneys argued that he has fully complied with all release conditions since his arrest in February and has not violated any court orders. They urged the judge to maintain the current supervised arrangement while the case proceeds toward trial.
A federal trial is currently scheduled for September in Miami.
