Josh Duggar's Appeal in Child Pornography Case Rejected by Supreme Court
Duggar was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison in 2022
The Supreme Court has denied Josh Duggar's appeal in his child pornography case.
Duggar, 36, was arrested in 2021 for receiving and possessing child pornography. He was sentenced to nearly 13 years after being found guilty on two charges and filed an appeal, which has now been rejected, according to the Associated Press.
"A child predator has been brought to justice," said Homeland Security's resident agent-in-charge, Billy Riggins at the time of Duggar’s conviction.
PEOPLE has reached out to Duggar's attorneys and family representative for comment.
His prior appeal had already been rejected before going to the Supreme Court. In October 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the 19 Kids and Counting alum's previous judgment.
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Josh DuggarThe investigation began in 2019 when Homeland Security agents found child pornography downloaded onto a computer linked to Duggar at his business, Wholesale Motorcars. The investigation found that he had developed a hidden system on his work computer to view content of children — some under the age of 10 — being sexually abused.
Several days of testimony included an emotional appearance from family friend Bobye Holt, who said Duggar had admitted to her in 2003 and 2005 that he had molested four Jane Does (one was 5 years old) from when he was 12 to 15.
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Duggar’s defense argued that there was a probability the former reality star was hacked or exploited, adding that the prosecution’s case lacked evidence that it was actually Duggar downloading the images.
"If you like a good mystery, then this is the case for you," defense attorney Justin Gelfand said in his opening statement. “The actual forensic trail presents more questions than answers."
In the end, a jury found Duggar guilty, and he has been serving his sentence in a Texas prison.
Duggar's parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar gave a statement immediately after their son was charged, saying, "The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and [his wife] Anna and continue to pray for their family."
His sister Jill Duggar Dillard — who was one of his multiple alleged molestation victims, alongside sibling Jessa Duggar Seewald — revealed in her memoir that this issue was known to their parents. She claimed Jim Bob, 58, and Michelle, 57, had sent Josh away when he was a child due to his impure thoughts and actions, all before the family began filming their first documentary special.
"By the time 14 Children and Pregnant Again! was complete, Josh had returned to live with us," she wrote. "His head had been shaved, I guess in an attempt to punish him or instill some humility. I wasn’t worried about him, though. I was a kid, and I trusted that things would get better now that Josh had been 'fixed.'"
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
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