Topline
Josh Duggar, who starred in TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting and was previously accused of molesting his sisters and a babysitter when they were children, was found guilty Thursday of downloading and possessing child pornography, the Associated Press reported.
Josh Duggar speaks during the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the … [+]
Key Facts
A federal jury in Arkansas convicted Duggar, 33, on one count of receiving and one count of possessing child pornography.
During the six-day trial, jurors were allowed to hear about Duggar’s alleged history of committing sexual abuse, the AP reported.
The jury found Duggar, who is the father of six young children, guilty after seven hours of deliberation, according to Arkansas news outlet KNWA.
What To Watch For
Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count upon sentencing, which will happen in about four months, according to KNWA.
Key Background
Authorities say child pornography was being shared on a computer at a car dealership Duggar owned in 2019. Duggar was arrested in April and pleaded not guilty. In a hearing in May, Homeland Security agent Gerald Faulkner said there were over 200 images discovered that showed the sexual abuse of children between the ages of 18 months and 12 years old, and said they were “the top five of the worst of the worst” that he’s ever seen.
Tangent
Duggar’s parents said in a 2015 interview that he admitted to molesting his sisters in 2003. Authorities investigated the abuse claims in 2006 but concluded that the statute of limitations had passed and no charges could be brought. Duggar’s large and growing family made their TV debut in 2008. The show focused on their homeschooling and modesty practices and intense Christian faith. It was canceled in 2015 when Duggar’s history of alleged abuse came to light. A spin-off called Counting On premiered that year, and was canceled in June shortly after Duggar’s arrest.
Further Reading
Josh Duggar From ‘19 Kids And Counting’ Charged With Child Pornography Possession (Forbes)
