Former reality TV star Josh Duggar has been sentenced to 12.5 years in federal prison after being convicted on charges of child pornography. Duggar, known for his appearance on the show 19 Kids and Counting, was arrested in April 2021 and faced one count of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Arkansas, Duggar allegedly possessed explicit material depicting the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12 in May 2019. After his arrest, Duggar pleaded not guilty to both charges but was eventually convicted in December 2021. The possession count was later dismissed.
At his sentencing in May 2022, Duggar received a sentence of 151 months, which is roughly equivalent to 12.5 years, behind bars. Prosecutors had requested a 20-year sentence, citing Duggar’s prior sexual exploitation of minors and his efforts to obtain and view child sexual abuse materials.
Duggar’s defense team argued for a more lenient sentence, highlighting his lack of prior charges or convictions and urging the court to impose a sentence that is sufficient, but not greater than necessary.
Currently, Duggar is serving his sentence at the Federal Correctional Facility (FCI) Seagoville in Texas. His original release date was scheduled for October 10, 2032. However, his stay has been extended due to allegations of him possessing a cell phone while in prison in February 2023.
This is not the first time Duggar has faced serious allegations. Years before his child pornography trial, Duggar confessed to his father, Jim Bob, that he had molested five underage girls, including his sisters Jill Duggar and Jessa Duggar. Instead of reporting the incidents to authorities, Jim Bob consulted with church elders and sent Josh to a Christian rehab center.
Jill Duggar later spoke out against her parents’ decision to cover up Josh’s crimes, expressing her disapproval in her memoir, Counting the Cost. She mentioned feeling sick about how her parents prioritized protecting Josh’s privacy over seeking justice.
As Josh Duggar continues to serve his prison sentence, the case has sparked discussions about the handling of child abuse allegations and the protection of victims. The sentencing sends a strong message about the consequences of possessing and distributing child pornography, emphasizing the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
