Josh Duggar found guilty in child pornography trial

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — On the final day of the Josh Duggar child pornography trial, the jury found Duggar guilty on both charges of receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for each count.

Judge Timothy Brooks announced that sentencing will happen in about four months. Duggar was taken into custody after the verdict was announced.

Defense Attorney Justin Gelfand said after the verdict that they plan to appeal.

Closing arguments began the morning of December 8 and the verdict was reached on December 9 afterjust under seven hours of deliberation.

The trial lasted six days and saw two witnesses called for the defense, while ten witnesses took the stand for the prosecution.

The defense’s witnesses were Digital Forensics expert Michele Bush and Daniel Wilcox, a former Homeland Security Investigations task force member and Rogers Police Department narcotics officer.

The prosecution called ten witnesses, including Jim and Bobye Holt, who said they were friends with the Duggar family.

Bobye Holt said during her testimony that Josh confessed to her about molesting young girls when he was a teenager.

Duggar was arrested on April 29, 2021. He was released from police custody to a third-party custodianon May 5, 2021.

Duggar starred in TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” which has not aired since 2015.

TLC pulled the reality TV show in 2015 over accusations that Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter. In 2015, Duggar publicly apologized for his pornography addiction and cheating on his wife, calling himself “the biggest hypocrite ever.”

Duggar’s trial is happening as his father, Jim Bob Duggar, runs in a special election for a vacant state Senate seat in Northwest Arkansas. Jim Bob Duggar was also featured prominently on the TLC show and previously served in the Arkansas House.

Jim Bob Duggar is one of four Republicans seeking the party’s nomination. Early voting began Tuesday, December 7 and the primary is set for December 14.