Former reality television personality Josh Duggar was indicted by a jury in Arkansas on Thursday on federal charges related to downloading and viewing photos and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, the US Justice Department said.
Duggar, best known for “19 Kids and Counting,” the TLC reality TV show centered on his parents and their 19 children, was convicted of two criminal charges. Duggar, 33, tried to hide his actions using a password-protected partition. Prosecutors said he kept the hard drive of a desktop computer for the sale of his used car.
The show was suspended in 2015 after it was reported that Duggar had molested five girls, including his four sisters. He issued a statement at the time acknowledging his actions and resigned from his position at a conservative advocacy group, but did not face criminal charges related to that case.
“Today’s ruling sends a message that we will track and prosecute people who download and view child sexual abuse material, regardless of their conduct,” said Kenneth Polite, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s criminal department. No matter how hard you try to hide it.” a statement.
Duggar’s attorney Justin Gelfand said: “We appreciate the jury’s lengthy deliberation, we respect the jury’s decision, and we intend to appeal.”
Duggar’s sentencing date is yet to be decided. He could face five to 20 years in prison for receiving child sex abuse material, and he could face up to 20 years for possessing the material.
Law enforcement officials first traced his activities during a covert investigation into online file-sharing activities and later searched the premises selling his used cars in November 2019. He was charged in April.
The show “19 Kids and Counting” highlighted their parents’ religious values and beliefs, including their opposition to birth control, their preference for home-schooling their children, and their strict rules about dating, including a Courtship involved chasing their daughters through. Stopped them from kissing till marriage.
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