Josh Duggar in 2014.Photo: D Dipasupil/Getty
Josh Duggarreceived good news early on his sentencing day — one of his December convictions for child pornography will be dropped.
The former19 Kids and Countingstar wasfound guiltyin December of two charges of knowingly receiving and possessing child pornography.
On Wednesday, with the agreement of both the defense and prosecution, the court vacated the conviction on count 2 without prejudice. U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks, who was presiding, noted that possession is a lesser included offense of the receipt of child pornography.
Judge Brooks further ruled that Duggar, 34, did not knowingly distribute pornography and sustained the defense’s objection to that potential enhancement to Duggar’s sentence.
Josh’s father,Jim Bob, and Josh’s wife,Anna, sat in the front row as the news was announced.
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When he wasn’t taking notes, Josh — who wore a grey suit with a black mask — often turned to smile at Anna, 33, during the proceedings.
Josh’s sisterJoy-Anna (Duggar) Forsythand brother Jason Duggar were also there to support their older brother at the Western District of Arkansas Federal Courthouse in Fayetteville.
As a result of Wednesday’s vacation, Josh now faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines total (he previously faced that potential maximum sentence for each conviction).
Josh Duggar.Kris Connor/Getty
Josh’s legal team asserted that he still maintains his innocence and plans to appeal. They further presented more than 20 objections to the sentencing report.
Ahead of his sentencing, Judge Brooks affirmed that he will allow considerations regarding Josh’s alleged behaviors with Jane Does as a teen to be viewed as an enhancement.
Homeland Securityarrested Josh on April 29, 2021. He was then held without bond in an Arkansas jail before beingreleased one week laterto designated third-party custodians, Lacount and Maria Reber.
After his convictions in December, his legal team unsuccessfullyasked for an acquittalin January. The sentencing trial wasoriginally set for April 5but Judge Brooks granted Duggar’s request todelay the hearing.
source: people.com
