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Reality TV Star Josh Duggar Convicted for Kiddie Porn
A federal jury has convicted U.S. reality star Josh Duggar on Thursday of downloading and possessing child pornography. Duggar, 33, was found guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography by a jury in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Upon sentencing, he could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.
“Our office will continue to pursue all individuals who violate children by downloading, possessing, and sharing child pornography regardless of their wealth, social status, or fame,” U.S. Attorney Clay Fowlkes of the western district of Arkansas, which prosecuted the case, said.
According to Fayetteville TV station KNWA, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks expects to sentence the defendant in about four months.
Justin Gelfand, one of Duggar’s attorneys, said “We respect the jury’s decision and we look forward to appealing.”
TLC cancelled the show, “19 Kids and Counting,” when it was revealed that Duggar molested four of his sisters and a babysitter. As a result of a tip from a family friend, authorities began investigating the abuse in 2006 but determined that the statute of limitations on any possible charges had expired.
Parent Josh Duggar break their silence
The parents of Dugar said their son had confessed to the fondling and apologized. A conservative Christian organization called the Family Research Council fired Duggar for unspecified conduct at the time and Duggar apologized publicly.
Duggar later apologized for his addiction to pornography and for cheating on his wife, calling himself “the biggest hypocrite ever.”
In the child porn case, the judge ruled that jurors had the right to hear testimony about how in 2003, Duggar admitted to molestation of four girls. According to testimony, a family friend said Duggar had told her about the abuse.
An investigation was launched by federal authorities after a Little Rock police detective discovered child porn files on a computer associated with Duggar. Images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers, were downloaded onto a computer at a car dealership owned by Duggar in 2019, a federal agent testified in May.
Duggar’s lawyer also claimed that someone else downloaded the images to Duggar’s computer. However, the jury didn’t believe him.
A special election for a state Senate seat is being held in northern Arkansas on Tuesday, and Jim Bob Duggar, who appeared on the reality show, is running in that race. Jim Bob served in the Arkansas House before running for the state Senate.
