In the latest turn of events surrounding former “19 Kids and Counting” star, Josh Duggar, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has denied his appeal to overturn the verdict in his child pornography case. This decision, based on the court documents dated Oct. 5, was confirmed by E! News.
Josh Duggar, once a beloved television personality, is now set to continue his 12-and-a-half year prison sentence, with an expected release date of Oct. 2, 2032. This duration was finalized earlier in March when an additional two months were appended to his sentence.
Back in December 2021, an Arkansas jury ruled Duggar, 35, guilty of one count each of receipt and possession of child pornography. Although he initially pleaded not guilty, the court’s decision in May sentenced him to over a decade in prison. Further financial repercussions included a $10,000 fine and, upon his eventual release, he will be under 20 years of supervised probation.
Duggar, the eldest of the large family featured in “19 Kids and Counting”, faced significant public scrutiny and the eventual cancellation of the show in 2015. This decision by the TLC network came after revelations that he had molested several girls during his teenage years. This prompted two of his sisters, Jessa and Jill Duggar, to publicly identify themselves as victims.
Despite the controversy, TLC aired a spinoff series, “Counting On”, primarily focusing on Josh’s younger sisters. The series, however, was short-lived. Eleven seasons in, it faced its cancellation, coinciding roughly with Duggar’s arrest on child pornography charges in April 2021.
The Duggar family, renowned for their strong familial ties and faith, has expressed their emotional turmoil amidst these events. In a statement to E! News post his conviction, Josh’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, stated, “We will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children.” They acknowledged the pain of the situation, emphasizing their trust in God as their pillar of strength.
Josh’s sister, Jinger Duggar Vuolo, recently opened up about the ordeal, noting its difficulty but acknowledging that “justice is being served.”
This case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities that can lurk behind the facades of even the most seemingly idyllic families. The ongoing support and prayers for the Duggar family from their community highlight the challenges faced in reconciling love for a family member with their actions.