Timothy Hudson’s defense buys time to weigh plea deal in Carnival Horizon murder

The federal high-seas murder case against a teenager accused of sexually assaulting and strangling his own stepsister aboard a cruise ship has reached a pivotal juncture. Court filings reveal the defense has requested more time to consider reaching a plea deal.

Timothy Hudson, who was 16 at the time, is accused of the sexual assault and strangling death of Anna Kepner, 18, aboard the Carnival Horizon on Nov. 7, 2025. He is being charged as an adult in the federal case in Florida.

The plea deadline was originally Friday, Oct. 23 but that has now been extended to January to give the defense team more time. A judge granted this extension earlier this month.

TEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING STEPSISTER ON CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP ORDERED DETAINED BEFORE MURDER TRIAL

Read the motion here:

A federal grand jury indicted Hudson in April, to which he initially entered a not guilty plea. He is currently being held in a federal pre-trial detention center after a judge made an order in June remanding him to federal custody.

TEEN STEPBROTHER ACCUSED OF KILLING ANNA KEPNER ON CARNIVAL CRUISE REMAINS FREE BEFORE TRIAL

He was previously in the custody of his family, with an ankle monitor.

With the new changes and extended plea deal deadline, it’s possible that Hudson’s defense team is trying to iron out a plea deal for the teenager.

ANNA KEPNER’S STEPBROTHER CHARGED AS ADULT WITH MURDER, SEXUAL ABUSE IN FLORIDA TEEN’S CRUISE SHIP DEATH

Anna Kepner’s 16-year-old stepbrother outside of a federal court building in Miami, Florida, Feb. 6, 2026. The teen is accompanied by his attorney. (Fox News)

“For a case like this, you’re talking about whether or not the defendant gets life or not,” Anthony Strazza said.

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

Strazza, a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor who practices in federal and state courts, is not affiliated with the case.

ANNA KEPNER’S SUSPECTED CRUISE SHIP KILLER CARRIED OUT ‘BARBARIC, INTENTIONAL, THOUGHTFUL ACT’: PROSECUTORS

Timothy Hudson is accused of sexually assaulting and killing his stepsister, 18-year-old Anna Kepner, onboard a Carnival Cruise ship. (Fox News Digital/Instagram)

SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST TRUE CRIME NEWS

He said Hudson’s defense team could be negotiating a guilty plea in exchange for prosecutors not recommending life without parole.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE FOX TRUE CRIME HUB

“There’s not going to be any sweet plea deal, regardless of whether or not they take a plea. The numbers [years in prison] are going to be large,” Strazza said.

SEND US A TIP

Because Hudson is so young, Strazza said even if he is found guilty and sentenced to decades behind bars – there is a possibility that Hudson could serve his time and get out of jail in his 30s.

PROSECUTORS WARN ANNA KEPNER’S STEPBROTHER SHOULDN’T ROAM FREE AFTER ALLEGED CRUISE SHIP MURDER

In a court sketch, Timothy Hudson is seen in Miami federal court on Wednesday, May 27. Hudson is accused of murdering his stepsister, Anna Kepner, and sexually assaulting her. (Lothar Speer)

GOT A TIP?

“You’re talking about a defendant who’s 16 years old, so there’s a huge difference between life and, let’s say, a 30-year sentence,” Strazza said.

LISTEN TO THE NEW ‘CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO’ PODCAST

Strazza said Hudson could be expected to serve “at least 85 percent” of any federal prison sentence.

ANNA KEPNER’S DAMAGED CELLPHONE BECOMES KEY CLUE IN CRUISE SHIP MURDER CASE AGAINST STEPBROTHER: FILINGS

In a court sketch, Timothy Hudson is seen in Miami federal court on Wednesday, May 27. Hudson is accused of murdering his stepsister, Anna Kepner, and sexually assaulting her. (Lothar Speer)

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL

“Even if he does get big numbers, 20, 30 years, he is still going to be relatively young when he completes that time.”

Hudson’s defense attorney, Eric Cohen, declined to comment on the case when reached by Fox News Digital.