Overview
- A federal grand jury, which returned an indictment Monday, charged T.H., 16, as an adult with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse that carry a potential life sentence.
- Prosecutors say the teen sexually assaulted and intentionally killed Anna Kepner in international waters, and records say her body was found under a bed and the medical examiner ruled mechanical asphyxia.
- The case began with sealed juvenile charges on Feb. 2 before U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered adult prosecution and the indictment was unsealed late last week.
- He remains on court-ordered release with a guardian and GPS monitoring, and prosecutors moved Monday to jail him pending trial.
- Because the alleged crimes occurred on the high seas, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are leading the case, and Carnival says it is cooperating with investigators.