Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
-Economic Crimes Unit

Traci Hudson (Samuel) (Arrested)
Business: Owner of Florida Guardianship Services, Inc.
DOB: 03/19/1968
Address: 10834 Charmwood Drive in Riverview Florida
Charges: Exploitation of an Elderly Person over $50,000

What:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested 51-year-old Traci Hudson, after a complex investigation which determined Hudson was exploiting an elderly person by transferring large sums of money to her accounts for personal gain.

When:
The investigation began in November, 2018.

The suspect was arrested at approximately 2:29 p.m., on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Where:
The investigation was conducted in Pinellas County.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Economic Crimes Unit have arrested 51-year-old Traci Hudson, after a complex investigation which determined Hudson was exploiting an elderly person by transferring large sums of money to her accounts for personal gain.

According to detectives, their investigation began in November, 2018 after the Florida Department of Children and Families, Adult Protection Division (APID) forwarded a tip to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

In November of 2017, Traci Hudson was introduced to the victim, 92-year-old Maurice Myers after the death of his daughter, who had been taking care of Myers’ finances. The introduction was made by people who knew Hudson was a professional guardian and she worked with court appointed wards.

Hudson is self-employed as the business owner of Florida Guardianship Services, Inc. She is listed also as the President of the Guardian Association of Pinellas County per the Florida Department of Corporations website. In addition, Hudson is listed on the Guardian Association of Pinellas County newsletter as Board of Directors, President as recent as October of 2019.

Detectives say after the introduction, Hudson through her Power of Attorney also became the court appointed personal representative for Myers’ daughter’s estate.

Myers passed away in October of 2018 with no next of kin.

Although Hudson worked as a professional guardian since 2016, she was not a court appointed guardian for Myers. Therefore, none of her financial transfers and expenses were monitored by the courts.

Detectives found over the course of eleven months, a total of $541,541.12 was transferred from Myers account to accounts owned by Hudson.

Detectives presented the case to the Pinellas/Pasco State Attorney’s Office and a warrant was issued for Hudson on one count of Exploitation of an Elderly Person over $50,000, a first degree felony.

On November 14, 2019, at approximately 2:29 p.m., Traci Hudson was taken into custody by deputies, on a warrant issued by the State’s Attorney’s Office with a bond amount of $250,000. Hudson was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident

The investigation continues.