Florida Teen in Federal Custody for Alleged Assault on Step-Sister

A teenager from Florida has been taken into federal custody following accusations of sexually assaulting and strangling his 18-year-old step-sister while on a Carnival cruise ship.

Timothy Hudson, age 16, turned himself in to U.S. marshals at a federal court in Tampa after facing a sentence modification from U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres. This decision overturned a previous ruling that had allowed the teen to remain free on pretrial release, a move that was kept confidential initially before becoming public knowledge.

Hudson will remain in custody until his trial, though Judge Torres mandated that he be housed in a licensed juvenile facility due to his age, even while his case is processed under adult legal standards.

The case’s shift from juvenile to adult court has resulted in the revocation of parental rights. Hudson was arrested as a minor back in February and had been living with an uncle in Hernando County, monitored electronically. However, after being indicted as an adult on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, prosecutors sought his immediate detention.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra Lopez successfully argued that Hudson’s violent behavior posed a significant danger to the community and emphasized that the potential for a life sentence increased the risk of him fleeing.

The tragic sequence of events began in November 2025 during a trip aboard the Carnival Horizon. Hudson was with his extended family, including his step-sister, Anna Kepner. Her body was discovered by a flight attendant wrapped in a blanket and stashed under a bed in their shared stateroom shortly before the ship reached Miami, according to court documents.

An autopsy later revealed that Kepner had been pinned down, raped, and killed through mechanical asphyxiation. Prosecutors noted she had been strangled for three to five minutes. The incident occurring in international waters placed it in a unique category, allowing for the prosecution of a minor in federal court.

As the legal proceedings move toward a scheduled jury trial, the family is enduring a painful reality. Hudson has maintained his innocence, while his federal public defender has opted not to comment on the case.

Kepner, who was once a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, has been described by her loved ones as a bright, beautiful soul. Her memorial was held in vibrant colors instead of traditional black. Her father, Christopher Kepner, expressed the family’s profound sorrow and their confidence in the justice system to find the truth amid this tragic situation.

Interestingly, Anna Kepner’s father is married to Hudson’s mother, Shawntel Kepner (formerly of Hudson). They were traveling together as a blended family with their respective children during the cruise.