Teen Accused of Killing Stepsister on Cruise Ship Gets Time to Consider Plea, but No ‘Sweet’ Deal, Expert Says

A federal case involving a teenager accused of sexually assaulting and strangling his stepsister on a cruise ship is entering a crucial phase. Newly filed court documents indicate that the defense has asked for additional time as it considers whether to pursue a plea agreement.

Timothy Hudson was 16 when prosecutors say he sexually assaulted and strangled 18-year-old Anna Kepner aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7, 2025. He is being prosecuted as an adult in federal court in Florida.

The original deadline to enter a plea was Friday, Oct. 23. A judge approved an extension earlier this month, moving the deadline to January and giving Hudson’s attorneys more time to weigh their options.

A federal grand jury indicted Hudson in April, and he initially pleaded not guilty. He is now being held at a federal pretrial detention facility after a judge ordered in June that he remain in federal custody.

Before that ruling, Hudson had been staying with family members while monitored electronically through an ankle bracelet.

The extended deadline may indicate that Hudson’s legal team is discussing a potential plea agreement with federal prosecutors.

“In a case like this, the central question is whether the defendant faces life in prison,” said Anthony Strazza.

Strazza, a criminal defense lawyer and former prosecutor who handles cases in both federal and state courts, has no connection to Hudson’s prosecution.

He said the defense could be seeking a guilty plea that would persuade prosecutors not to pursue or recommend a sentence of life without parole.

“There won’t be a favorable plea bargain, regardless of whether he pleads guilty,” Strazza said. “The potential prison terms are still going to be substantial.”

Still, Hudson’s age could have a major impact on how long he remains incarcerated. Strazza noted that even a sentence spanning several decades could potentially leave Hudson free while he is still in his 30s.

“This is a defendant who was 16 years old, and there is an enormous difference between a life sentence and, for example, 30 years in prison,” Strazza said.

Strazza said Hudson could be required to serve at least 85% of any federal prison sentence imposed.

“Even with a lengthy sentence of 20 or 30 years, he would still be comparatively young when that sentence ended,” Strazza said.

Hudson’s attorney, Eric Cohen, declined to comment when contacted by News Outlet.