Leader of Hudson oxycodone ring gets 20 years in federal prison

TAMPA — The King of Hudson has been dethroned.

A federal judge has sentenced Arde Olsen, also known as the "King of Hudson," to 20 years in prison for trafficking in oxycodone.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said Olsen was the ringleader of a large oxycodone trafficking organization that he mainly operated from an auto repair shop at 11923 Pine Forest Drive in Hudson and a home on Denton Avenue.

Law enforcement targeted Olsen in a drug operation called "Oxy Express," which led to the arrest of Olsen and 18 others. Each has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison.

Olsen, 51, drew the harshest sentence this week among the defendants. The lowest sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington was two years, which went to the youngest defendant, 19-year-old Amber Marie Morreale.

Prosecutors said the group obtained large amounts of oxycodone from various pharmacies across Tampa Bay through doctor shopping. Olsen paid individuals to visit doctor offices and obtain prescriptions for oxycodone.

The judge also entered a monetary judgment of more than $1 million against Olsen and the others, which prosecutors said represents the amount of drug proceeds obtained during the conspiracy.