COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a chilling case of deception and violence, Keith Jorel Hudson, 36, was sentenced today to 264 months in federal prison for orchestrating fake online sales to rob and shoot his victims.
Hudson, who posed as an auto seller and an online escort, used Facebook Messenger to lure unsuspecting victims into meetings. His sinister scheme culminated in armed robberies where he not only stole their money but also fired at them with a firearm.
On March 5, 2020, Hudson met with a victim who believed he was selling a black Honda Accord. When the victim arrived at the agreed-upon location, Hudson produced a gun, demanded his wallet and keys, then pistol whipped the victim after an attempted escape and shot him in the neck. The bullet shattered the car window but did not kill the victim, who was later taken to Grant Hospital.
Two weeks later, on March 20, 2020, another unsuspecting victim responded to one of Hudson’s dating advertisements. Instead of meeting a woman for sexual activity as advertised, he found himself facing Hudson and his gun. After handing over $30, the victim tried to flee but was pursued by Hudson and struck in the hand during an exchange of gunfire that also disabled his car.
Hudson was arrested shortly after by Columbus Police officers. He was charged with robbery and discharging a firearm during robbery in March 2020 and pleaded guilty in April 2021. Today’s sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge Sarah D. Morrison, and Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Prichard represented the United States in the case.
Vipal J. Patel, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Roland H. Herndon, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the ATF; and Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant announced Hudson’s sentence. The severity of his crimes underscores the dangerous intersection of cybercrime and violent crime.
RELATED: Predator Gets 35 Years for Exploiting Sleeping Children
RELATED: Ohio Man Threatened to Burn Down Planned Parenthood
Related Federal Cases
- Edison Nation Execs Admit to Fake Order Numbers · Ohio
- Cleveland Man Faces Federal Charges After Deputy U.S. Marshal Shooting · Ohio
- FDIC Green-Lights Erebor Bank Deposit Insurance in Columbus · Ohio
- Charles Williams Sentenced in Bank Robbery Ring Takeover · Washington
- Anthony V. Mosley Sentenced to 13 Years for Violent Bank Robbery Ring · Michigan
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News