20-010 Detectives Arrest St. Pete Beach Man in a Murder for Hire Case
Murder for Hire
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
-Investigative Operations Bureau
Gary L Hudge (Arrested)
DOB: 8/28/1965
Address: Transient
Charge: One count Solicitation for Murder, one count Sale of Controlled Substance and one count Possession of Controlled Substance
Thomas D Hudge (Victim)
DOB: 4/15/1962
Address: 11730 Butler Road, Willis, Michigan
What:
Detectives have arrested a man after he attempted to hire an undercover detective to commit a murder on his behalf.
When:
Detectives began their investigation on November 7, 2019.
The suspect was arrested on January 16, 2020.
Where:
The investigation took place in and around the area of St. Pete Beach.
Why/How:
On November 7, 2019, undercover detectives were introduced to 54-year-old Gary Hudge. During this meeting, Gary informed detectives he was interested in having his brother, Thomas Hudge, killed due to recent family trouble.
According to detectives, Gary detailed financial disagreements between him and his brother and asked the detective if he was willing to kill him for payment.
Over the course of several meetings with detectives, Gary provided suggestions on how the murder should take place and at which location would be best. Gary provided detectives several Michigan addresses for his brother and offered to pay for transportation to commit the crime.
Detectives say Gary offered to provide undercover detectives with a gun and money to show his sincerity at having his brother murdered.
In the final meeting with detectives, Gary provided an initial payment to detectives for the murder and was taken into custody.
Gary was transported to the Sheriff’s Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo to be interviewed by detectives. Gary admitted to detectives he intended to hire the undercover detective to murder his brother.
Gary was charged with Solicitation for Murder, Sale of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Controlled Substance and transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident
The investigation continues.
