Teen jailed in Florida for allegedly sexually assaulting, killing stepsister on cruise

A teenager facing charges for the sexual assault and killing of his 18-year-old stepsister while aboard a Carnival Cruise ship is now in custody. Timothy Hudson, 16, surrendered to U.S. Marshals in Tampa on Monday after a federal judge overturned a previous decision regarding his pretrial release.

Legal Shift to Adult Court

The reversal follows the transfer of Hudson's case to adult court in April. While U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres originally permitted the teen to live with an uncle under electronic monitoring in February, the change in legal status prompted prosecutors to push for detention. Judge Torres ultimately ruled that because Hudson now faces adult charges, his pretrial detention status should be evaluated under those same standards. Hudson will be held in an approved juvenile facility.

In his order, Judge Torres stated that the government provided clear evidence that no release conditions could reasonably ensure the safety of the community. Prosecutors highlighted the severity of the alleged crimes, noting that a conviction on the adult charges could result in a life sentence, whereas juvenile delinquency proceedings would have capped his detention at age 21.

The Case Details

Hudson has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Federal public defenders representing the teen declined to comment on the charges, emphasizing that Hudson had previously complied with all release conditions.

The tragic events occurred in November when the family had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon. According to a criminal complaint, Anna Kepner's body was discovered hidden under a bed in the stateroom she shared with Hudson and another teenager. An autopsy concluded her death was caused by mechanical asphyxia.

During a May 27 hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Lopez argued that the brutal nature of the incident—which involved the victim being pinned down and strangled—necessitated incarceration to prevent potential future violence. The case has moved into federal court because the incident took place in international waters, outside state jurisdiction.

Remembering the Victim

Anna Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida. Following her death, her family requested that attendees at her memorial service wear bright colors to celebrate her life. Her father, Christopher Kepner, previously stated the family is placing their trust in the justice system to pursue the truth with integrity, describing the situation as deeply painful and complex.