Moment 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar is booked into jail on child porn charges

New footage shows reality TV star Josh Duggar inside an Arkansas jail, after he was arrested on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. 

The 33-year-old pleaded not guilty to the federal charges on Friday during a virtual court hearing, during which was ordered to live with a third party with no children if he is granted bond.  

Duggar was taken into custody in Springdale, Arkansas a day earlier after turning himself in.

Footage from inside the Washington County sheriff’s office shows Duggar entering in a white shirt and jeans, wrists handcuffed in front of him. 

Josh Duggar, 33, was seen inside Washington County jail in Arkansas shortly after his arrest

Duggar, soon to be a father for the seventh time, was arrested on child pornography charges

Duggar, soon to be a father for the seventh time, was arrested on child pornography charges

Duggar starred in the hit reality TV show about his large family, 19 Kids And Counting

Duggar starred in the hit reality TV show about his large family, 19 Kids And Counting

Another angle shows the sheriffs removing the handcuffs, and Duggar walking to a bench where he sits down, awaiting booking.

According to the indictment, he is alleged to have downloaded child sexual abuse material online in May 2019. Some of the child pornography material he is accused of possessing shows children under the age of 12.  

If convicted, Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison.

His arrest followed a Homeland Security raid on his now-closed car dealership, Wholesale Motorcars, in Springdale, Arkansas back in November 2019. He was not charged at the time. 

His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, issued a statement on Friday saying they were praying for their son and pregnant daughter-in-law. 

Sheriffs removed the handcuffs in a second clip, and Duggar walked to sit on a bench

Sheriffs removed the handcuffs in a second clip, and Duggar walked to sit on a bench

Duggar then sat on the bench, awaiting processing inside the sheriff's office

Duggar then sat on the bench, awaiting processing inside the sheriff’s office

Josh and his wife Anna with their children Mackenzie, 11, Michael, nine, Marcus, seven, Meredith, five, Mason, three, and Maryella, one, in 2019

Josh and his wife Anna with their children Mackenzie, 11, Michael, nine, Marcus, seven, Meredith, five, Mason, three, and Maryella, one, in 2019

‘The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious,’ they said.  

‘It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family.’ 

Duggar’s sister, Jinger Vuolo, posted a statement on Instagram: ‘We are disturbed to hear of the charges against Josh. 

‘While this case must go through the legal system, we want to make it clear that we absolutely condemn any form of child abuse and fully support the authorities and judicial process in their pursuit of justice.’ 

The arrest marks Duggar’s latest brush with the law after his father, Jim Bob, admitted to police in 2006 that his son had molested five young girls over multiple occasions back when he was 14 and 15. 

Four of the girls were his sisters but he was never criminally charged. He spent several months in a Christian rehab facility where he was treated for a sex addiction.  

His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, issued a statement on Friday, saying: 'The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious'

His parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, issued a statement on Friday, saying: ‘The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious’

Duggar's sister, Jinger Vuolo, posted a statement on Instagram saying she was 'disturbed to hear of the charges against Josh'

Duggar’s sister, Jinger Vuolo, posted a statement on Instagram saying she was ‘disturbed to hear of the charges against Josh’

His arrest followed a Homeland Security raid on his now-closed car dealership, Wholesale Motorcars, in Springdale, Arkansas back in November 2019. He was not charged at the time

His arrest followed a Homeland Security raid on his now-closed car dealership, Wholesale Motorcars, in Springdale, Arkansas back in November 2019. He was not charged at the time

He was sued by a porn star in 2015 for allegedly assaulting her during sex but the lawsuit was later dropped. 

Duggar is also currently in the midst of a separate legal battle after a civil lawsuit was filed against him for real estate fraud.  

His arrest on the latest charges came just days after he and his wife Anna announced they were expecting their seventh child. 

Anna shared the news to Instagram on Saturday with a video of herself and her husband hugging in a field with all six of their kids running toward the camera.

The announcement doubled as a gender reveal, as pink confetti came out of a clear umbrella that the couple – who are both 33 – was holding over their heads. 

Prior to the charges being formally announced, a source told The Sun that his wife was ‘standing by’ him and accompanied him to the police station. 

‘Anna is standing by her husband as she always has,’ the source said. 

‘Josh and Anna asked the family to pray for them, and said that they love them.’

Duggar and Anna in 2015. His arrest Thursday comes just days after they announced they were expecting their seventh child

Duggar and Anna in 2015. His arrest Thursday comes just days after they announced they were expecting their seventh child

The couple's announcement on Instagram three days earlier that they are expecting another child. 'It's a GIRL!!!!!' the caption for the clip began

The couple’s announcement on Instagram three days earlier that they are expecting another child. ‘It’s a GIRL!!!!!’ the caption for the clip began

Duggar is the eldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children who all shot to fame on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting that followed the devout Baptist family from 2008 to 2015. 

The show was axed that year by TLC after allegations emerged that Duggar had molested five young girls.  

According to a 2006 police report unearthed by InTouch Weekly in 2015, Josh’s behavior was first discovered in March of 2002, when one of his youngest sisters went to Jim Bob ‘very upset and crying’ saying he had been sneaking into their room.

Josh then admitted to Jim Bob that he had been touching his sisters when they were sleep. 

According to a 33-page police report of the incident, four of the five underage girls were his sisters. 

Duggar was allegedly disciplined at home but the sexual abuse continued into the following year with multiple other incidents, some of which happened when his sisters and a babysitter were awake. 

Jim Bob and Michelle, however, did not initially go to the police and kept the molestation allegations – and Josh’s confessions – a secret until a tip was made to the Arkansas State Police Child Abuse Hotline about Josh’s behavior and forced their hand.

Finally speaking to police on December 12, 2006, Jim Bob said when he learned about what his son was doing, he ‘met with the elders of his church and told them what was going on.’

Jim Bob and Michelle told the local police that Josh had ‘apologized’ to his victims and said they had ‘forgiven’ him.   

Duggar is the eldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children who all shot to fame on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting that followed the devout Baptist family from 2008 to 2015

Duggar is the eldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s 19 children who all shot to fame on the reality series 19 Kids and Counting that followed the devout Baptist family from 2008 to 2015 

The Duggar family in 2014. The reality show was axed in 2015 when it emerged father Jim Bob had reported son Josh Duggar to authorities for molesting young girls in 2002. Two of Duggar's sisters later said they were victims

The Duggar family in 2014. The reality show was axed in 2015 when it emerged father Jim Bob had reported son Josh Duggar to authorities for molesting young girls in 2002. Two of Duggar’s sisters later said they were victims 

Duggar was sent to the Institute in Basic Life Principles Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2003 for treatment. 

It later emerged that the institute’s founder, Bill Gothard, was accused of sexually harassing or assaulting 34 women in 2014 and resigned shortly afterward. 

Duggar’s sisters, Jessa and Jill Duggar, have since claimed they were two of their brother’s alleged victims. 

Duggar’s wife Anna and family all stood by him after the sex abuse scandal emerged, with Jessa and Jill saying they had forgiven him.  

He also issued a public apology addressing the claims saying: ‘Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.’ 

Just months later, Duggar was rocked by another scandal when it was revealed that he had an account on Ashley Madison – the cheating website for married men. 

He released yet another statement apologizing for cheating on his wife, saying: ‘I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the Internet and this has become a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife.’ 

Inside Josh Duggar’s controversial past: How 33-year-old Christian who starred on a TLC reality show with his 18 siblings confessed to molesting his own SISTERS, went to Christian rehab for sex addiction

Former 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar pleaded not guilty today to federal charges of receiving and possessing child pornography — a not-so-shocking development that comes six years after revelations that he had sexually abused five minors, including four of his younger sisters, back when he was a teenager.

The 33-year-old Arkansas native has certainly seen a startling fall from grace since his family rose to fame on TLC, where cameras documented their lives as an exceptionally large fundamentalist Christian family who followed a religious homeschool curriculum, dressed modestly, and eschewed contact with the opposite sex before marriage.

Now Josh — whose wife Anna, 33, is currently pregnant with their seventh child — will face trial for ‘downloading child sex abuse material in 2019,’ marking the first time he has been charged with a crime despite formerly confessing to molesting his siblings.

Josh and his wife Anna are expecting baby number seven and already have Mackenzie, 11, Michael, nine, Marcus, seven, Meredith, five, Mason, three, and Maryella, one

Josh and his wife Anna are expecting baby number seven and already have Mackenzie, 11, Michael, nine, Marcus, seven, Meredith, five, Mason, three, and Maryella, one

The Duggar family’s first brush with fame came in 2004, when parents Jim Bob and Michelle — and their then 14 children — appeared in their first television special, 14 Children and Pregnant Again, on the Discovery Health Channel. 

The Duggars projected a wholesome image, and soon starred in three more TV specials that aired in 2006 and 2007. 

In 2008, TLC premiered 17 Kids and Counting, which would go on to be renamed twice to account for the births of the youngest Duggar kids: Jennifer, Jordyn, and Josie.

During the specials and early episodes of the show, the Duggars shared details about their modesty standards and the strict rules they followed governing male and female behavior.

Girls and women in the family were expected to cover up most of their skin, dressing exclusively in dresses and skirts and layering extra shirts under tops that dipped to low. 

In one episode, Michelle even had TLC blur her knees when they appeared on camera. In another, Jennifer — who was five or six years old at the time — was told by Jim Bob that her knee-length Hello Kitty dress, worn with tights, was too short and she needed to change.

The Duggar family starred in their first TV special in 2004 and went on to have three more — and their own TV show, 19 Kids and Counting

The Duggar family starred in their first TV special in 2004 and went on to have three more — and their own TV show, 19 Kids and Counting

But even as they rose to fame as a 'wholesome' Christian family, they were hiding the secret that Josh had molested five minors

But even as they rose to fame as a ‘wholesome’ Christian family, they were hiding the secret that Josh had molested five minors

Jim Bob and Michelle sent him for Christian counseling and didn't talk to police about it until an anonymous tip forced their hand

Jim Bob and Michelle sent him for Christian counseling and didn’t talk to police about it until an anonymous tip forced their hand

They shared a family code word, ‘Nike,’ which would be uttered in the presence of an immodestly dressed woman — or an image of an immodestly dressed woman — to notify the boys to look down at their shoes.

Joy Anna, then just a little girl herself, demonstrated how it was her responsibility to cover the television screen to protect her brothers from seeing immodestly dressed women.

While filming, Josh got engaged to Anna Keller, and on September 26, 2008, the pair tied the knot. They spoke openly about following strict courting rules, sharing limited contact like side-hugs before their marriage.

They even shared their first kiss for the altar in a moment that was captured in an episode of 17 Kids and Counting.

Just a year later, in October 2009, they welcomed their first daughter, Mackynzie. Mackynzie was soon followed by Michael in 2011 and Marcus in 2013.

All the while, though, the family was hiding a dark secret: that eldest son Josh had a history of molesting girls that had started before their first TV special. 

According to a 2006 police report unearthed by InTouch Weekly in 2015, Josh’s behavior was first discovered in March of 2002, when one of his youngest sisters went to Jim Bob ‘very upset and crying.’

The sister said that Josh had been sneaking into the shared girls’ bedroom and touching her breasts and genitals while she slept on four or five occasions. Once, she woke up while he was taking a blanket away from her.

While filming, Josh got engaged to Anna Keller. The pair had strict rules governing physical contact before they married

While filming, Josh got engaged to Anna Keller. The pair had strict rules governing physical contact before they married

On September 26, 2008, the pair tied the knot. They shared their first kiss on their wedding day

On September 26, 2008, the pair tied the knot. They shared their first kiss on their wedding day

Josh and Anna pictured with Mike Huckabee, who defended Josh after the molestation came to light in 2015

Josh and Anna pictured with Mike Huckabee, who defended Josh after the molestation came to light in 2015

Josh then admitted to doing so when confronted by Jim Bob and was ‘disciplined,’ though Jim Bob didn’t reveal what the discipline entailed. 

In March of 2003, ‘there was another incident,’ according to the police report, with Josh being accused by several minors of similar sexual touching.  On one occasion, he was reading to a little sister on his lap and touched her ‘breasts and vaginal area. On another, he cornered one of his sisters in the laundry room and put his hand under her dress. 

However, Jim Bob and Michelle did not initially go to the police, keeping the molestation allegations and Josh’s confessions a secret until a tip was made to the Arkansas State Police Child Abuse Hotline about Josh’s behavior and forced their hand. 

Finally speaking to police on Dec. 12, 2006, Jim Bob said when he learned about what his son was doing, he ‘met with the elders of his church and told them what was going on.’

They suggested a particular treatment program at Vista Hospital, but Jim Bob was concerned that Josh would be ‘exposed to other offenders and other things they did not want him exposed to. 

Instead, they sent Josh to a Christian program that consisted of ‘hard physical work and counseling from March 17, 2003 to July 17, 2003.

Jim Bob and Michelle also told the local police that Josh had ‘apologized’ to his victims and said they had ‘forgiven’ him, and when he came home they believed the issue had been ‘resolved.’

After a police report documenting the abuse was unearthed, his sister Jessa, 28, identified herself as one of his victims

After a police report documenting the abuse was unearthed, his sister Jessa, 28, identified herself as one of his victims

Jill, 29, also came out as one of Josh's victims. Jim Bob and Michelle also told the local police that Josh had 'apologized' to his victims and said they had 'forgiven' him

Jill, 29, also came out as one of Josh’s victims. Jim Bob and Michelle also told the local police that Josh had ‘apologized’ to his victims and said they had ‘forgiven’ him 

When Josh came home from the Christian counseling program, his parents had him talk to Arkansas State Trooper Jim Hutchens, who gave him a ‘very stern talk.’

Hutchens, 75, was later imprisoned on child pornography charges of his own, and has been in jail since 2007. He was sentences to 56 years. 

When the police report describing Josh’s transgressions was made public in 2015, two of his sisters — Jill, 29, and Jessa, 28 — identified themselves as two of his victims. Later, in 2017, Jinger and Joy were identified as the other victims in a lawsuit.  

Jim Bob, Michelle, Jill, and Jessa all sat down for an interview with Megyn Kelly to discuss what happened — and some viewers were left alarmed by the way the parents tried to minimize their son’s behavior.

‘He was still a kid, you know, and he was still a juvenile. He wasn’t an adult,’ Jim Bob said. ‘Kids will make their own choices. 

‘[Josh] had gone in and just basically touched them over their clothes while they were sleeping,’ he went on, adding that there were ‘a couple incidents where he touched them under their clothes, but it was, like, a few seconds.

‘God can forgive [Josh] for these terrible things, I hope other people realize God can forgive them and also make them a new creature,’ he said. 

He also seemed to imply that a brother molesting his sisters was common, saying: ‘We talked to other parents and different ones since then, a lot of families have said that they’ve had similar things happen in their families.’ 

'He was still a kid, you know, and he was still a juvenile. He wasn't an adult,' Jim Bob told Megyn Kelly about Josh's molestation of his siblings

‘He was still a kid, you know, and he was still a juvenile. He wasn’t an adult,’ Jim Bob told Megyn Kelly about Josh’s molestation of his siblings

‘I think we had one ray of hope, in that Josh had a tender conscience,’ Michelle said.

They also insisted that they had ‘put safeguards in our home’ to prevent something similar from happening again. Boys were not allowed to babysit or run off with girls during hide-and-seek, and ‘little ones don’t sit on big boys’ laps, or people you don’t know, or even family members, unless it’s your daddy,’ said Michelle.

The revelation that Josh had sexually abused his sisters certainly dominated headlines, but it wasn’t to be the last time he was in the spotlight year.

Months later, when hackers released information about account-holders for the adultery website Ashely Madison, Josh was found to be among them. 

Soon after, he released a statement confessing not just to adultery but to a ‘secret addiction’ to pornography.

‘I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife,’ he wrote. 

‘I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family. 

‘I brought hurt and a reproach to my family, close friends and the fans of our show with my actions that happened when I was 14-15 years old, and now I have re-broken their trust. 

Whoops! He was then discovered to have an account on the adultery website Ashley Madison

Whoops! He was then discovered to have an account on the adultery website Ashley Madison

‘The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country, I was hiding my own personal failings. As I am learning the hard way, we have the freedom to choose to our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. I deeply regret all hurt I have caused so many by being such a bad example.

‘I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Please pray for my precious wife Anna and our family during this time,’ he concluded. 

Consequences: Josh lost his job at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., a conservative lobbying group against abortion and gay marriage

Consequences: Josh lost his job at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., a conservative lobbying group against abortion and gay marriage

Porn star Danica Dillon then sued Josh for allegedly assaulting her during sex, but the lawsuit was later dropped. 

The dual scandals led to TLC canceling the family’s show, 19 Kids and Counting. Josh also lost his job at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., a conservative lobbying group against abortion and gay marriage. 

After, there was speculation about whether his wife, Anna, would leave him. 

Her brother Daniel bashed Josh, writing on social media: ‘Confessing and getting caught are two different things. You want to know what happens when you cover ur sin maybe you should go read ur bible instead of beating people over the head with it.’

He also said he told Anna that he would pay for her and her children to move in with him, but Anna declined. 

In the midst of the scandals, they welcomed their fourth child, Meredith.

For some time, Josh was absent from social media — and went away to another Christian counseling program while his wife and children moved in with his parents.

But Anna has publicly forgiven him, in the past few years has returned to sharing fawning Facebook posts about her husband.

‘Redemption is a beautiful thing!’ she told a fan on Instagram who commented on Josh’s presence in photos. 

Will she forgive again? Anna has stayed by his side and spoken out about 'redemption'

Will she forgive again? Anna has stayed by his side and spoken out about ‘redemption’

'Your gratitude for redemption through JESUS and striving to please HIM above all!' Anna wrote

‘Your gratitude for redemption through JESUS and striving to please HIM above all!’ Anna wrote 

Like it never happened! Anna shared effusive praise for her husband on his 31st birthday and mentioned his 'redemption' — less than four years after he admitted he was unfaithful

Like it never happened! Anna shared effusive praise for her husband on his 31st birthday and mentioned his ‘redemption’ — less than four years after he admitted he was unfaithful

On his birthday one year, Anna also wrote an effusive Instagram post singing his praises, saying: ‘Your gratitude for redemption through JESUS and striving to please HIM above all!’

She continued: ‘Joshua, YOU are a TREASURE and I look forward to growing old — TOGETHER.’

She also clearly forgave him privately. In 2017, they welcomed a son named Mason, followed by a daughter named Maryella in 2019. 

And just last week, Anna revealed on Instagram that she is pregnant with their seventh child, another girl, who is due in the fall. 

But despite the family pushing Josh’s redemptive arc, the eldest Duggar child has allegedly not only continued his deviant behavior, but done much worse. 

On Thursday, he was taken into custody in Springdale, Arkansas after turning himself in on charges of receiving and possessing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. 

They continued to reproduce. In 2017, they welcomed a son named Mason, followed by a daughter named Maryella in 2019. Anna is currently pregnant once again

They continued to reproduce. In 2017, they welcomed a son named Mason, followed by a daughter named Maryella in 2019. Anna is currently pregnant once again

Josh is frequently around his own young children, as well as his minor sisters and nieces and nephews

Josh is frequently around his own young children, as well as his minor sisters and nieces and nephews

No one in the family has seemed to have any qualms about him being around children

No one in the family has seemed to have any qualms about him being around children

Putting him away: If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count

Putting him away: If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count

According to the indictment, he is alleged to have ‘knowingly received’ child sexual abuse material online in May 2019. Some of the child pornography material he is accused of possessing shows children under the age of 12. 

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count. 

According to a press release from the US Attorney’s Office, Western District of Arkansas, the case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Since the arrest, Josh’s parents have released a statement reading: ‘We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time. The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious.

‘It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light, and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family.’

Jill’s husband, Derrick Dillard, also told People: ‘We just found out this information yesterday. It is very sad.’

Derrick has been outspoken in accusing TLC of exploiting the victims of Josh’s abuse, and also slamming her father for his treatment of Jill. 

TLC, meanwhile, also released a statement that it is ‘saddened to learn about the continued troubles involving’ Josh, but stressed that he has not appeared on air since 2015. 

Josh’s arrest followed a Homeland Security raid on his now-closed car dealership, Wholesale Motorcars, in Springdale, Arkansas back in November 2019. He was not charged at the time.  

He is also currently in the midst of a separate legal battle after a civil lawsuit was filed against him for real estate fraud. 

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