British Citizen Guilty of Child Pornography and Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct

Stephen Hudson, a 53-year-old from Ealing, England, admitted to severe charges involving child exploitation and illegal travel for sexual conduct in Newark federal court.

NEW JERSEY - In a significant legal development, Stephen Hudson has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child pornography and traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, as announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz in Newark, New Jersey.

Detailed court documents reveal that between April 14, 2022, and May 6, 2022, Hudson utilized an encrypted email account to arrange his travel from Massachusetts to New Jersey with the purpose of sexually exploiting two minor girls, aged 11 and 12. He negotiated to pay $1,200 in exchange for the opportunity to engage in sexual acts with the minors and for them to be supplied with illicit drugs and alcohol.

Hudson was apprehended on May 6, 2022, after he traveled to the agreed location in New Jersey, where he was met by undercover federal law enforcement officers instead of the minors he expected. He was arrested immediately after handing over the agreed sum of money.

Further investigations led to the discovery of 1,751 images of child sexual abuse on Hudson's laptop. These images included extremely disturbing content involving prepubescent children and the exploitation of infants and toddlers.

Hudson now faces severe legal consequences, with the charge of possessing child pornography potentially leading to a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge related to interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct could result in up to 30 years in prison and a similar fine.

This case has been brought to court with the diligent efforts of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker. The proceedings underscore the ongoing commitment of U.S. law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable populations.