The Supreme Court declined to hear reality star Josh Duggar’s appeal of his child pornography conviction. Duggar, 36, was found guilty in 2021 on charges related to the receipt and possession of child pornography. He was sentenced to 151 months in prison in May 2022. Duggar’s petition for certiorari was denied, and he will remain in prison until 2032.
Federal authorities began investigating Duggar after child sexual abuse material was found to be shared by a computer traced back to him. Images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers, were downloaded onto a computer at a car dealership owned by Duggar in 2019. Despite his attorney’s argument that certain statements made during the investigation should not have been allowed at trial, Duggar’s appeal was unsuccessful.
In addition to his current sentence, Duggar’s prison time was extended by two months to conclude in October 2032. He was placed in solitary confinement after allegedly being found with a contraband cellphone. Duggar is married to Anna Duggar, and the couple has seven children together.
The allegations against Duggar date back to 2006 when a family friend reported that he had allegedly molested four of his sisters. The investigation at that time was halted due to the statute of limitations. However, the allegations resurfaced in 2015, leading to the cancellation of the reality show “19 Kids and Counting.” Duggar publicly apologized for marital infidelity and a pornography addiction and sought treatment.
The Duggar family has been in the spotlight for years due to their reality show and subsequent controversies. Despite the denial of his appeal, Duggar’s legal battles are far from over as he continues to serve his prison sentence for the serious charges against him. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for crimes, regardless of their public persona.