BEHIND BARS
Josh Duggar sentenced to 12 YEARS in prison for child pornography charges after disgraced star begged for just 60 months
JOSH Duggar has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison on child pornography charges after the disgraced star begged for just 60 months behind bars, The Sun can first report.
Arkansas Judge Timothy L. Brooks sentenced Josh, 34, to 151 months in prison on May 25.
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According to The Sun's court reporter, Josh appeared stoic as he received his sentence, which also includes $50,000 in fines.
As he read his decision, the judge called Josh's crimes "the sickest of the sick" to the packed courtroom.
He then said to Josh: "You have done some very bad things. But in your life as a whole, you've done good things...The true test of a man's character is what a man does when no one is watching."
Referring to Josh's insistence that he's innocent, the judge continued: "I find it aggravating about the lack of responsibility."
Josh's wife Anna, sister Joy-Anna, dad Jim Bob and brothers Jason and James watched him receive his grueling sentence in court on Wednesday, The Sun's reporter claimed.
Joy-Anna and Jason appeared saddened by the judge's decision, while Anna and Jim Bob remained emotionless.
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Josh's mother Michelle and other siblings were not in attendance.
After Josh is released, he will serve 20 more years of probation, and will be forbidden from unsupervised visits with children.
He will not be allowed to have a computer, or view pornography of any kind.
Josh was previously found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography on December 9 after a nearly two-week trial.
He has been locked up in Washington County Jail since the verdict, and will soon be transferred to federal prison, where he is expected to undergo a sex offender treatment program.
LOCKED UP
Prosecutors demanded the disgraced star receive the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, while Josh’s legal team begged for just five years behind bars ahead of the court hearing.
The government argued in the Sentencing Memorium previously reported by The Sun: “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.”
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VICTIM'S WORDS
Prosecutors believed it was “important” for them to “highlight the pain his predation caused in the words of his victims.”
The court papers read: “As the parent of one of the victims depicted in the CSAM the defendant downloaded explained, her daughter became an 'anxious and fretful shadow of her former self' after being sexually abused.
“And when addressing the harm caused by offenders like Duggar, who traffic in images depicting the worst moments of her daughter’s life, she wrote: ‘I can find no words to express the fury I feel at those who participate in this evil, or my scorn for any attempt to minimize the responsibility by feeble claims that the crime was ‘victimless.’
“‘My daughter is a real person. She was horribly victimized to provide this source of 'entertainment.' She is exploited anew each and every time an image of her suffering is copied, traded or sold. While the crime is clearly conscienceless, it is hardly ‘victim-less.’
The mother asked her daughter what she wanted most from the judge.
Her request was, according to the court papers: “‘Please, don’t let them pretend no-one’s getting hurt!’”
The victim said of Josh: “‘Don’t you know no one should do that to a little girl! Don’t you know it hurts!’”
The court documents continued: “As the mother of a child victimized by this crime, I would ask that the court take into consideration the damage done by this heartless crime to my daughter and others like her (including those children who still wait for someone to rescue them from their exploitation, and have no-one here today to speak for them) and impose a sentence that takes into account the full impact of the crime on the victims.”
The prosecution continued in their argument: “Those are the words of just one parent of just one victim. There are many more victims of Duggar’s crimes, all of whom were subjected to extreme and unimaginable instances of sexual abuse and violence.
“Some of the victims depicted in the CSAM he downloaded and possessed, like the victim described above, have been identified and rescued. Others have not, and the pain and trauma they have experienced as a result of Duggar’s conduct will go unvoiced at the sentencing hearing.”
PAST MOLESTATION
The government also brought up when Josh molested minor females in the family home when he was a teenager.
The court papers claimed: “This Court is now presented with an offender who has a history of sexually abusing minors, who has not received any treatment or therapy for this conduct to speak of, who appears unlikely to ever seek out or meaningfully participate in treatment or therapy to address this conduct, and who continues to deny any responsibility for his past or present crimes.
“There is simply no indication that Duggar will ever take the steps necessary to change this pattern of behavior and address his predilection for minor females.
“Given these circumstances, this Court should be particularly mindful in crafting its sentence of the likelihood that Duggar reoffends upon his release from incarceration and what his reoffending conduct will entail.”
'WORST OF THE WORST'
The 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.
'ADMIRABLE LIFE'
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 speaks 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."
Josh's wife Anna, 33, and his mom Michelle, 55, were the only immediate family members to write letters to the judge.
'REUNITE US'
In Anna’s letter, she described her husband of 13 years and father of her seven children as “considerate, respectful, quick to forgive, patient and genuinely the kindest person.”
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.
“Joshua is a man who frequently volunteers his time, services, and resources, striving to contribute to our community and people in need.”
She then recalled how her husband interacts with homeless people, financially supports his late friend’s widow, hires people in need at his car lot and more.
Anna ended her letter with: “Joshua is surrounded by people who will encourage him to continue to become the best man, father, and employer he can be.
“I ask that you consider reuniting us as a family again soon. I understand the seriousness of this matter, however, I respectfully ask that you take this letter into consideration when determining a fair sentence.”
'TENDER HEART'
Mom Michelle said in her letter that Josh has “friends and family who love and support him in his abilities to succeed as a husband, father and business owner, and man both now and in the future!”
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.
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.
Many Duggar family members, including wife Anna and dad Jim Bob, attended the trial in support of their fallen family member.
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.
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.
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When the verdict was read, the Counting On alum was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody at Washington County Jail.
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Josh has maintained his innocent despite the verdict.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
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