BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Jason Hudson speaks with his attorney Richard Lively before an Aniah’s Law hearing Monday in Autauga County.
Jason Hudson, 45, of Deatsville in Autauga County will be held without bond, after District Judge Jessica Sanders under Aniah’s Law, his alleged crimes warrant no bond.
In a hearing that began at 11 a.m. today in Autauga County, Hudson sat with his attorney Richard D. Lively. On the prosecution side, District Attorney CJ Robinson questioned only one witness, Agent Jones with the Special Bureau of Investigations that works with Internet Crimes Against Children.
Special Agent Jones testified that he has personally seen five videos involving sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 12. He identified Jason Hudson as the perpetrator in those videos.
He said he reviewed all of the data involved with the videos, and explained that five new charges against Hudson come from the evidence found within those videos. They include Incest with a Minor, Sexual Abuse of a child less than 12, Production of Pornography with a minor, and Rape – Domestic violence.
Hudson was already facing 75 counts of possession of child pornography from an earlier case, but was out on bond. The new charges came about because Hudson’s attorney argued that Autauga County deputies could have tampered with evidence and placed the photographic images on Hudson’s phone.
At that time, DA Robinson had the evidence sent to the Special Bureau of Investigations, ICAC, which has extensive technology. In reviewing the devices, at least five videos were then discovered. This new evidence added more charges to Hudson, but also involved his now ex-wife Farren Jill Hudson. She was charged last month with two counts including Sodomy and Sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.
One of the videos referred to today was allegedly taken on Feb. 3, 2021 when the reported victim was 11-years-old. Testimony said a camera was set up in a bedroom of a home, and clearly shows Hudson engaging in sexual intercourse with the then 11-year-old.
“Sexual intercourse occurred,” Special Agent Jones said.
The Incest charges comes from identification of the victim, which was described as a family member.
Jones testified the video evidence also showed sexual abuse and sexual touching.
Special Agent Jones also testified that there is a large amount of data still being reviewed. According to DA Robinson, it is possible more charges could be forthcoming.
Hudson was also involved early in the investigation, when the first charges of possession of child porn were issued. Those images, he said, involved children engaged in vaginal and oral sex with an adult.
Warrants were issued March 30 against Hudson regarding the videos uncovered on a device because of the extensive investigation after allegations that material could have been tampered with.
US Marshalls took Hudson in custody in Fort Payne, Alabama Thursday.
DA Robinson argued that the location of where Hudson was found is concerning, because it is about one hour from where the victim shown in the videos is now living.
Allegedly, Hudson had said he would not be taken into police custody before Marshals located him.
When asked if Jones had concerns about the safety of the victim, Jones said he did have concerns.
The victim was put through a forensic interview and eventually admitted to the abuse against her. The alleged crimes occurred in Autauga County.
Hudson’s attorney Lively countered that there is no evidence Hudson knew he had new warrants when he went to visit the state park in Fort Payne. Hudson told Judge Sanders he enjoys visiting Fort Payne because it brings him peace.
However, later it was revealed that Hudson learned from his attorney about the new charges once he was in Fort Payne and had agreed to meet with him. But when that was delayed, Marshals located Hudson on their own.
Lively again mentioned the possibility that the devices where evidence has been found could have been tampered with, citing a 100-page report that was paid for by the defendant.
Jones said that he does not agree with that hypothesis.
Lively asked if Jones had brought the evidence with him for the hearing today, to which he explained there are laws regarding the transport of pornography, and it is not common to present that evidence in a hearing, but rather only trials before a judge or jury. He confirmed those videos and other evidence would be made available for trial.
Lively argued that since Hudson has been out of bond on the initial 75 charges of child porn, he has made all of his court dates and has not been in further trouble with the law. He said he is not a flight risk.
Lively said that if Hudson remains in jail, he is in danger of losing his roofing company, his home and the ability to work to pay for legal services.
He suggested the court could make a condition of bond that he will have no contact with the victim.
He said that the evidence against his client was taken from devices and is two-years-old. He again questioned whether the evidence had been tampered with in that time.
In rebuttal, DA Robinson argued, “This is not a 50-year-old man in his parent’s basement or dark corners doing things without a victim. We have a living, breathing victim. When the defendant was finally located, he was one hour from her. That brings up major concerns. I hope there are more charges coming. I think he should get prison for the rest of his natural life.”
Robinson stressed that Aniah’s law was established to protect the community and victims of crimes.
Lively said that Hudson has only been in trouble one time before, and that is a charge of DUI from 12 years ago. He stressed that when Hudson left to reportedly visit Fort Payne, he did not know more charges were coming against hm.
Judge Sanders told Hudson that due to the nature of the alleged offenses, particularly the video evidence, what Hudson is facing is far more serious than the 75 counts of possession of child pornography. “You will not get a bond in this case,” she said, and ended the official court hearing.
We will continue to follow both this case, and that of Hudson’s ex-wife Farren Jill Hudson, as they proceed through the court system.
