The Sconi

Thomas Ray Hudson, 34, of Grenada, Mississippi, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for producing child pornography. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson and will be followed by a lifetime period of supervised release. Hudson pleaded guilty to the charge on June 10, 2025.

According to authorities, Hudson traveled to Minnesota in August 2024 intending to meet a 13-year-old girl in Burnett County, Wisconsin, after communicating with her online. He was unable to locate her home and became stranded in Minneapolis. Law enforcement later identified and arrested him following a tip. A search of his electronic devices led investigators to multiple additional victims.

Law enforcement found that Hudson served as an administrator for an online group with hundreds of members focused on child exploitation. He also participated in groups where adults threatened violence against minor girls who did not produce sexually explicit material for the group.

During the sentencing hearing, a relative of one of the victims described the significant emotional harm caused by Hudson’s actions and stated that the child is now afraid to go outside due to fear of him returning. Judge Peterson characterized Hudson’s conduct as “cruel and manipulative,” adding it was among the worst cases he had seen.

“Today’s sentencing reaffirms my office’s steadfast commitment to protecting our children, the most vulnerable among us, from predators who exploit and harm them online,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma. Elgersma commended law enforcement officers nationwide for their work on this case.

FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle commented: “Mr. Hudson’s inexcusable actions of exploiting minors online as a group administrator with hundreds of members will not be tolerated. The men and women of the FBI are committed to identifying and investigating those who victimize children. We will continue to leverage resources while working with our local, state, and federal partners to safeguard our communities.”

The investigation involved collaboration between several agencies including the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office; Kentucky State Police; Bothell Police Department in Washington; and FBI field offices across Wisconsin, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Altman prosecuted the case.

This case was part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), which brings together federal, state, and local resources nationwide to combat child sexual exploitation online and rescue victims. More information about PSC can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.

Parents and community members are encouraged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office to discuss internet safety with children and review resources available at NCMEC’s NetSmartz website: missingkids.org/NetSmartz/home.