The penalty sheet attached to the indictment confirms that both counts carry a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, with up to five years of supervised release upon any eventual release and a maximum fine of $250,000 per count. Prosecutors note in a separate motion that, because Hudson was a juvenile at the time of the alleged offenses, the death penalty cannot be imposed regardless of conviction — a constitutional protection established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Roper v. Simmons (2005).

The indictment was signed by U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quinones and Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra L. Lopez, who is prosecuting the case.

The Government Is Now Trying to Lock Him Up

In a motion filed today, April 13, 2026 — the same day as the public announcement of the adult indictment — federal prosecutors filed a formal Motion for Review and Revocation of Order of Release, asking U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom to detain Hudson pending trial.

The motion reveals a critical piece of procedural history that had not previously been public: Hudson was never held in jail after his initial juvenile proceedings. After a detention hearing on February 6, 2026, Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres released Hudson to the custody of a family member under conditions, without requiring any bond. Prosecutors had sought detention at that hearing and were denied.

Now that the case has officially transferred to adult prosecution — finalized on April 10, 2026 — the government argues the old juvenile release order no longer legally applies, and that under the federal Bail Reform Act, Hudson should be detained because he poses a clear danger to others.

In the motion, prosecutors argue the evidence presented at the original detention hearing demonstrated that “the offense conduct the Defendant engaged in involved the most serious, egregious, and violative crimes one person can inflict upon another.” The filing further notes that Hudson “carried out these crimes without any warning he could commit such atrocious acts, and despite an apparent supportive family environment,” and that he currently lives in a home where minor children reside.

Prosecutors also raise a practical problem with the current release: because Hudson was released without a bond under the juvenile statute, if he violates the conditions of his release, the only consequence is a contempt of court proceeding rather than bond forfeiture. The government argues this is inadequate now that Hudson faces full adult prosecution and potential life imprisonment.

Defense attorneys — Assistant Federal Public Defenders Eric Cohen, Abigail Becker, and Evan Kuhl — have indicated they do not believe additional testimony will be necessary at the upcoming hearing, and both sides agree Hudson should remain under his current release conditions until a judge rules on the motion. The defense has requested the matter be referred back to Magistrate Judge Torres, who presided over the original detention hearing and is familiar with the facts. The judge has ordered an expedited response from the defense no later than 4/20/26.

Hudson Himself Asked to Be Tried as an Adult

Among the most significant details buried in the court filings is a previously sealed document that shows Hudson, with the advice of his federal public defenders, signed a written request on February 23, 2026, asking the court to transfer his case to adult status and waiving his right to a transfer hearing.

The document, titled “Request to Proceed as an Adult and Waiver of Hearing Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §5032,” bears Hudson’s signature alongside those of his three defense attorneys and Federal Public Defender Hector A. Dopico. In it, Hudson acknowledged he understood the charges, that he was waiving the right to contest the transfer, and that if the court decided to transfer his case to adult status after a hearing, he could have appealed that decision — but he chose not to contest it.

The motion to transfer, filed by prosecutors on February 24, 2026, notes that because Hudson filed this written waiver, the court was not required to hold a full evidentiary hearing on the transfer question. Judge Beth Bloom entered the Transfer Order on February 26, 2026 — just two days after the motion was filed.

The superseding indictment followed 12 days later, on March 10, 2026.

A Timeline of How the Case Unfolded

The court documents now allow The Space Coast Rocket to reconstruct a complete, verified timeline of this case for the first time:

November 7, 2025: Anna Kepner, 18, of Titusville, is found dead in the cabin she shared with Hudson and her younger sibling aboard the Carnival Horizon, en route to Miami on the high seas. The cause of death is later determined to be mechanical asphyxiation — she was strangled. The FBI assumes jurisdiction at PortMiami.

February 2, 2026: Federal prosecutors file a sealed Information charging Hudson, under the Juvenile Delinquency Act, with Murder in the First Degree and Aggravated Sexual Abuse.

February 3, 2026: Hudson surrenders himself at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami and is formally arrested. He appears before Magistrate Judge Torres, pleads not guilty, and demands discovery.

February 6, 2026: A multi-hour detention hearing is held. Judge Torres finds probable cause exists for both charges but declines to detain Hudson, releasing him to a family member with conditions. Torres notes that if the case transfers to adult status, the government may seek to revisit his release.

February 19, 2026: The government provides its first discovery response to defense counsel, including all FBI reports and investigation materials.

February 23, 2026: Hudson signs the written waiver requesting adult prosecution.

February 24, 2026: Prosecutors file the unopposed motion to transfer the case to adult status.

February 26, 2026: Judge Bloom enters the Transfer Order.

March 10, 2026: A federal grand jury returns the Superseding Indictment. Prosecutors file juvenile court certifications from Miami-Dade and Brevard Counties confirming Hudson has no prior record, as required before the adult transfer is finalized.

April 7-8, 2026: The government files its third discovery response. Magistrate Judge Torres holds a hearing, finds proper certifications have been filed, and orders the adult transfer finalized. The docket is unsealed.

April 10, 2026: The case is formally and officially transferred to adult prosecution.

April 13, 2026: The U.S. Attorney’s Office publicly announces the indictment. The government simultaneously files the motion to revoke Hudson’s release and detain him pending trial. Today’s date also marks the filing deadline under the Bail Reform Act, as the motion was filed just three days after the April 10 finalization of the adult transfer.

What Happens Next

A status conference must now be scheduled to set a detention hearing date. Both sides have indicated they believe the evidence presented at the February 6 juvenile detention hearing is sufficient for the court to rule, meaning the hearing may be relatively brief. Hudson also still needs to be formally arraigned on the Superseding Indictment.

Prosecutors estimate the trial itself will take approximately seven days. Under the federal Speedy Trial Act, trial must be scheduled within 70 days of indictment unless waived by the defendant.

Hudson is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defenders Eric Cohen, Abigail Becker, and Evan Kuhl of the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom, with Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres handling pretrial matters.

The Space Coast Rocket will continue to monitor the federal docket and report on all developments as they occur. Court records in this case can be accessed at www.sdfl.uscourts.gov or through PACER under case number 26-CR-20031.

An indictment is merely an allegation. Timothy Hudson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The Space Coast Rocket will continue following this case as it develops.

gov.uscourts.flsd_.706448.58.0_2_watermark gov.uscourts.flsd_.706448.40.0_2_watermark gov.uscourts.flsd_.706448.33.0_watermark