Car and sex for sale were part of Ohio man’s ploy to rob interested buyers, feds say

A 36-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after officials say he lured three robbery victims with fake online sale listings, resulting in two people shot.

This sentencing comes after Keith Jorel Hudson, of Columbus, pleaded guilty in April to counts of robbery and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, according to a Nov. 19 news release from the Department of Justice, Southern District of Ohio.

“Each of the robberies were solely facilitated and perpetrated by (Hudson) after he posted fictitious advertisements online and arranged meetings with all three victims where he could demand U.S. currency from the victims by brandishing a weapon,” court documents say.

An attorney representing Hudson has not immediately responded to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

An investigation into Hudson began on Feb. 17, 2019, after the first victim responded to a Facebook Marketplace listing regarding a TV for sale, according to court documents. Hudson and the interested buyer agreed to meet, but when they did, officials say Hudson showed a semi-automatic handgun before demanding the victim’s money. Hudson received about $220, but the victim was not physically hurt.

More than a year later, on March 5, 2020, authorities say a second victim responded to another Facebook Marketplace ad created by Hudson. This time, he pretended to sell a Honda Accord, according to court records. The two men agreed to meet at an apartment, but when the victim showed up at the door, he didn’t see anyone and went back to his car.

That’s when officials say Hudson ran up to him, showed a semi-automatic handgun and told the man to drop his wallet and car keys.

The victim pleaded with Hudson, saying he had a family and couldn’t afford to give him his wallet, but he gave it up when Hudson showed him the gun was loaded. As Hudson took the wallet, the victim grabbed his keys and ran to the car, court documents say. The two struggled over the car door, but the victim was able to get inside. That’s when authorities say Hudson struck him in the hand with the gun before firing one round.

“The bullet struck (him) in the back of the neck, where the round entered and exited, causing a flesh wound,” court records say. The victim then drove away before flagging down police. He was taken to a hospital where he was treated and released on the same day.

Fifteen days later, on March 20, 2020, a third victim responded to another fake listing, officials say. This time, it was “a dating advertisement on a sexual and escort services website, Megapersonals.”

Authorities say Hudson posted the listing, which told potential customers they could meet a woman and “pay her for sexual activity” at a Columbus apartment complex. When this third victim showed up at the door, Hudson pointed the handgun before demanding money. The victim gave up $30 before running back to his car.

Hudson went to his own car, and the victim tried taking photos of his Kia Optima license plate. But, officials say, the victim didn’t manage to take a photo because Hudson started shooting at him.

The victim got into his car and started driving away, while Hudson followed and continued to fire, according to court records. The vehicle was struck and disabled, and the victim called police and gave a description of Hudson’ car.

Police later pulled over the car, with Hudson, his wife and children inside, officials say. Hudson was then arrested and charged in March 2020.

This story was originally published November 22, 2021 at 10:52 AM with the headline "Car and sex for sale were part of Ohio man’s ploy to rob interested buyers, feds say."