Crime
Jason Hudson Convicted on 84 Child Sex Crimes, Faces 1,473 Years in Prison
AUTAUGA COUNTY, AL — An Autauga County jury has found Jason Hudson guilty on a staggering 84 felony counts related to the repeated sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including multiple acts of rape, sodomy, incest, and the production and possession of child pornography.
Hudson was convicted of:
- First-Degree Rape (victim under 12 years old)
- First-Degree Sodomy (victim under 12 years old)
- Sexual Abuse of a Child Less Than 12 Years of Age
- Incest
- Five counts of Production of Child Pornography (involving the filming of sexual acts he committed on a minor under 17)
- Seventy-five counts of Possession of Child Pornography
The verdict followed an extensive investigation launched after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) detected that Hudson had downloaded flagged child pornography through file-sharing platforms.
NCMEC alerted the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, prompting a detailed digital forensic investigation.
Investigators uncovered thousands of images and videos in Hudson’s possession depicting some of the most severe and disturbing forms of child sexual abuse.
The files contained both male and female child victims, some as young as two years old, being raped, sodomized, tortured, and assaulted in horrifying ways.
Authorities reported that the materials showed children being:
- Bound with rope and burned with open flames
- Beaten and whipped
- Assaulted with sex devices
- Urinated on and humiliated during the assaults
In addition to the downloaded files, investigators discovered homemade videos created by Hudson himself, documenting him sexually assaulting, sodomizing, and raping a child under 12 years old.
Hudson’s wife, Farren Jill Hudson, was also implicated in the case and pleaded guilty to First-Degree Sodomy of a Child Under 12. In July 2025, she was sentenced by Presiding Circuit Judge Amanda Baxley to 30 years in prison.
Judge Baxley will sentence Jason Hudson on November 18, 2025, at the Autauga County Courthouse, where he faces a maximum sentence of 1,473 years in prison.
Autauga County District Attorney C.J. Robinson commended the bravery of the young victim and the dedication of all agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution.
“I am so thankful for real-life heroes,” Robinson said. “The victim in this case showed immense courage in coming forward and confronting her abuser. Law enforcement officers from the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, forensic analysts from ALEA, the Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center, and our exceptional team at the District Attorney’s Office all handled this case with professionalism and compassion.”
He continued:
“This is a case I will never forget. The jury displayed tremendous strength in reviewing some of the most disturbing evidence imaginable to deliver justice. To every parent out there — stop what you are doing and hug your children. Tell them you love them. And if you don’t have children, reach out to someone who has made a difference in your life. Choose to focus on what is good and worthy of praise. Do not let the darkness consume you — overcome it with light.”
Hudson remains in custody at the Autauga County Jail.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.