Josh Duggar Released on Bail After Being Charged With Possession of Child Pornography

Former reality star Josh Duggar of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting, was released on bail by a federal judge on Wednesday.

Duggar was allegedly found to have 65 images of child porn on his computer, which he reportedly downloaded over a three-day period in May 2019 while working at his now-closed used car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas.  

Federal agents raided the dealership in November of that year and took possession of the computer and Duggar’s cellphone. During his detention hearing, Homeland Security special agent Gerald Faulkner testified that the disgusting photos were “in the top five of the worst of the worst that I’ve ever had to examine.”

The images depicted the sexual abuse of children ranging from 18 months to 12 years old and a horrific video of a man sexually assaulting two young girls between the ages of five and ten.  

Duggar petitioned the court for his release, arguing that he needed to provide for his six children and pregnant wife Anna. Arkansas Judge Christy Comstock ruled that he would be granted bail on the condition that he not reside in his family home. 

His father, Jim Bob Duggar, reportedly arranged for family friends through their church to become his third-party custodian. “My husband has a passion and love for ministry to others,” said the church member. “We want to help the family and we are here to help Josh and Anna in whatever that may be.”

 Conditions of Duggar’s release include no access to the internet or devices capable of connecting to it and GPS monitoring. He is only allowed to leave his custodian’s home for the purposes of employment, court, or church.  

Duggar is not allowed to come into contact with any children other than his own but is only permitted to see them if their mother Anna is present. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.  

Marie Finn