Reality TV starJosh Duggar was found guilty of possession of child pornography

Josh Duggar has been convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography...

Image Reality TV starJosh Duggar

Josh Duggar, a former reality TV star, was found guilty by a federal jury in Arkansas of downloading and possessing child pornography.

Josh Duggar, a former reality TV star, was arrested immediately Thursday after a federal jury convicted him of downloading and possessing child pornography.

Despite Duggar's defense team's protests, the judge in the child porn case determined that jurors could hear testimony concerning how Duggar admitted to assaulting the girls in 2003. Duggar also told her about the abuse, according to a family acquaintance.

After receiving a tip from a family acquaintance, local Arkansas officials investigated the allegations of abuse in 2006 but determined that the statute of limitations on any potential prosecution had lapsed. Duggar's parents claimed he confessed and apologized for the fondling.

Punishment will be handed out in about four months, according to U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks. According to Fayetteville station KNWA, Duggar was arrested shortly after the verdict was announced.

Justin Gelfand, one of Duggar's lawyers, made a statement. "We appreciate the jury's thorough deliberations, we accept the jury's verdict, and we intend to appeal," according to the statement.

Clay Fowlkes, the United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, also made a statement, stating that the verdict "sends the message" that child sexual abuse cases are a major priority for prosecutors.

"According to the statement, "this verdict also highlights that no one is above the law." "Regardless of affluence, social standing, or notoriety, our office will continue to pursue all those who attempt to damage children and victimize them through the downloading, possession and sharing of child pornography."

Duggar and his big Arkansas family starred on TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" until the show was canceled in 2015 after allegations that he raped four of his sisters and a nanny surfaced. After receiving a tip from a family friend, authorities began investigating the abuse in 2006 but determined that the statute of limitations on any potential charges had passed.

Duggar's parents claimed he confessed and apologized for the fondling. Duggar publicly apologized for undefined behavior at the time and resigned as a lobbyist for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian organization.

Later, Duggar apologized for his pornography addiction and cheating on his wife, referring to himself as "the worst hypocrite ever."

In the child porn case, the court ordered that jurors could hear testimony regarding how Duggar admitted to assaulting four girls in 2003. Duggar told her about the abuse, according to a family acquaintance.

A Little Rock police officer discovered child porn files being transferred via a computer linked to Duggar, prompting federal authorities to launch an investigation. Images showing the sexual assault of minors, including toddlers, were downloaded in 2019 onto a computer at a car dealership owned by Duggar, according to a federal agent testifying in May.

Duggar's lawyer claimed that the photographs were downloaded or posted into Duggar's computer by someone else. The jury, however, was not moved.

Duggar's father, Jim Bob Duggar, is running in a special election for a vacant state Senate seat in northeastern Arkansas, and the primary election is Tuesday. He formerly served in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

"Counting On," a spinoff of the series, focuses on his sisters and their young children.

Source: UsaToday