Josh Duggar’s prosecutors rip Anna & Michelle’s ‘BAFFLING’ support for him & slam his request for just 5 years in prison
JOSH Duggar’s prosecutors have ripped his wife Anna and mom Michelle for their “baffling” support of the disgraced star, as they have slammed his request for just five years in prison.
Josh, 34, was found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography on December 9 and will be sentenced for the crimes on May 25.
The oldest Duggar son is requesting just five years in prison, while prosecution is demanding he receive the maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars.
Josh’s wife and mother, along with other family members and friends, helped support his lenient request by writing letters to judge Timothy L. Brooks.
The Sun can exclusively reveal that prosecution has responded to the request by slamming his loved ones’ support of the fallen son.
In court papers obtained by The Sun read: “To support his argument, Duggar relies on claims from his wife, his mother, and others that he is ‘deeply devoted’ to his faith and family.
Read more on Josh Duggar
“He claims that the writers are ‘extremely supportive while fully aware of his conviction[s],’ and that this ‘will enable him to make the most of the rest of his life and to work hard to ensure that his children’s lives are impacted as little as is possible’ by his trafficking in CSAM.”
The Prosecution then goes into Josh blaming “challenges” associated with the fame from the family’s show 19 Kids and Counting, and .
The court documents continue to argue: “These claims only underscore the appropriateness of the Government’s sentencing recommendation.
“Indeed, his supportive family and public-facing and privileged lifestyle make his pattern of criminal conduct all the more baffling.
"Despite achieving some level of fame through reality television as an adult, he is better known at this point for his behavior outside his family’s show, including his sexual improprieties and criminal sexual conduct.
“More importantly, none of these letters meaningfully grapple with his crimes or his sexual proclivities toward prepubescent girls.”
Prosecution then argues that it is “unlikely” Josh will “ever receive the treatment and accountability needed to prevent him from reoffending should he maintain this posture.”
The court documents claim: “In fact, given the apparent success of his blame tactics with some of the individuals he intends to surround himself with after his release from incarceration, it is not just unlikely—it is inconceivable.”
The prosecution also fights back against the argument that his wife and seven children will be affected financially by his 20-year absence.
The court docs continued: “And while Duggar’s incarceration will undoubtedly reverberate through his immediate and extended family, that is unfortunately true in many criminal cases and particularly in cases like this one, where Duggar appears to have hidden his reprehensible conduct from those closest to him up until his conviction.”
'EXCESSIVE & UNWARRANTED'
Josh’s legal team responded to the Government: “The sentence the Government seeks is excessive, entirely unwarranted, and unprecedented given the alleged crime for which Duggar stands before this Court for sentencing.
“To be clear, nobody denies the extent to which real children are victims of child pornography crimes—but the Government’s focus in its sentencing memorandum is clearly intended to provoke an emotional response in the hopes that this Court will hand down an unnecessarily harsh sentence in this case.”
Her letter read: “Joshua has worked hard to provide for me and our (now) seven children. But the happiest part of the day by far is when Daddy comes home from work, and his cheerful voice fills the house. ‘Hey, guys! How's it going? What did you learn about in school today?’ are usually the conversation starters in between greeting each of our children.
“Joshua is an engaged dad who gladly throws a football with his sons, listens to our daughters play a new song they have learned on the piano, helps answer homework questions, or lends a hand sweeping up spilled crackers.
“He is a kind, loving, supportive, and caring father and husband—his primary focus in life. My children and I rely on Joshua for financial, emotional, and physical support. Many others depend on Joshua, too.
She said her son has a “tender heart” and is “compassionate towards others.”
Her letter continued: “Joshua is a loving and patient man, striving to be a blessing and provide for his family! He has also spent quality time with his wife and children learning life skills together and going on family outings.
“Side by side, Joshua and his family have built forts, learned how to work on bicycles and other vehicles, gone camping, hiking, fished and played countless games and sports - together!”
The mother of 19 ended the letter: “As I look to his return, I stand ready to offer my continued love and encouragement to Joshua and his family and for their success in the future - together! We ask that he would be reunited with his wife and family in a timely manner.”
Other letters include Anna’s father and family, Duggar neighbors, LaCount Reber, who allowed Josh to stay in his home while on house arrest, a pastor and more.
But Josh’s father and siblings didn’t write letters to the judge, despite many attending the trial in support of their older brother.
Despite the snub, Josh’s legal team argued: “Duggar maintains an extremely close bond with his parents and his siblings.”
BEGGING FOR LENIENCY
Josh’s legal team begged the judge to be lenient with sentencing.
The court papers read: “The 34-year-old father of seven who stands before this Court for sentencing has lived an admirable life while navigating unique challenges associated with being in the public spotlight since childhood.
“Duggar pleaded not guilty and proceeded to trial. He now stands convicted of a serious offense and, as such, this Court must pronounce a sentence. However, in determining the appropriate sentence in this case, Duggar asks this Court to recognize him for the person he is and the person he can become.”
The document continued: “Prior to this case, Duggar had never been charged with, let alone convicted of, a single criminal offense throughout his entire life. In stark contrast, he worked exceptionally hard, has always been fully devoted to his family, and exemplified selfless acts outside of the public spotlight that speak to his true character.
“However, what speaks to Duggar’s true character is that his family remains firmly by his side and they yearn for the day when he can return home to them. His seven children and loving wife are struggling to make do without him but eagerly await the day when he will return to care for them, to love them, and to provide for them.”
'PARALYZED WITH FEAR'
Josh's legal team continued: "While the reality that Duggar is going to be sentenced to federal prison is undoubtedly frightening for Duggar himself, it has paralyzed his family with fear.
"Stated simply, any punishment imposed on Duggar is also a punishment imposed on his family."
Josh’s legal team also responded to the government noting a “pattern,” as a 2006 police report claimed Josh molested underage females in the family home, including sisters Jill, 30, and Jessa, 29, who came forward as victims.
Josh’s attorneys argued: “This cannot possibly be reasonably construed to constitute a 'pattern of activity' sufficient to warrant a significant increase of 5 offense levels.
"And to be clear, it is not only the length of time that transpired between the two alleged incidents; it is also the fact that Duggar was a child at the time of the first alleged incident."
LOCK HIM UP
The Sun previously reported that prosecutors are demanding the father of seven receive 20 years in prison.
The government wrote in the sentencing memorium: “In consideration of the extraordinary efforts Duggar took to obtain and view child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the nature of the CSAM he obtained and viewed, his efforts to conceal his criminal conduct, and his refusal to take accountability for or acknowledge any of his criminal conduct, the Government recommends the Court impose a guideline term of imprisonment of 240 months.”
'WORST OF THE WORST'
Prosecution then went into the type of child pornography Josh downloaded, calling it “sadistic," "masochistic " and "violent.”
The court papers read: “In fact, the forensic evidence presented at trial included multiple torrent files related to a series of CSAM that has repeatedly been described by law enforcement as being among the worst of the worst.”
Prosecutors claim over 600 images of child pornography were involved in the case, as opposed to Josh’s team arguing there were 127 photos.
Judge Brooks will decide on the exact number of years based on a range determined by the Federal Sentencing Table that factors in criminal history, age of victims involved in the child sexual abuse material, number of images and more.
JOSH APPEALS
Josh’s legal team filed a motion for an acquittal of the guilty verdict, a new trial, or the dismissal of the possession of child pornography charge.
Prosecutors responded by claiming “the evidence of the defendant’s guilt is clear and overwhelming.”
Josh’s attorneys fired back by calling the trial and guilty verdict “unconstitutional.”
The judge has not ruled on the appeal.
Josh has maintained his innocence.
SHOCKING TRIAL
Josh was arrested and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography in April 2021.
The highly-publicized jury trial lasted two weeks before the jury submitted a guilty verdict on both counts.
At trial, prosecutors presented damning evidence from Josh's HP computer.
It was revealed that one file name found on his HP desktop computer was of a video of a "3-month-old being sexually abused.”
One folder contained 65 thumbnail files of an underage girl.
The jury was shown the images and videos prosecutors claim were found on his computer.
Read More On The Sun
Prosecutor William Clayman provided alleged texts and photos were taken on Josh’s phone at the car lot to show he was there at the same time child pornography content was downloaded at Wholesale Motorcars.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
When the verdict was read, the Counting On alum was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody at Washington County Jail.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at