Ex-reality star Josh Duggar sentenced to more than 12 years in child pornography case

Former reality TV star Josh Duggar has been sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison for child pornography.

Duggar was a cast member on TLCs 19 children and counting with his parents and siblings.

The show ran from 2008 until its cancellation in 2015.

In December 2021, the father of seven was found guilty of two counts of receipt and possession of child pornography.

He was originally arrested in April 2021 after a police detective discovered child porn files were being shared from a computer traced to Duggar. Duggar maintains his innocence.

Prosecutors originally asked for the maximum sentence of 20 years, citing the graphic depictions and the ages of the children involved. It has been argued that Duggar has a “deep-seated, pervasive, and violent sexual interest in children.”

After his release, Duggar will be under mandatory supervision for the next two decades and will not be allowed unsupervised contact with children, including his own.

In a statement after Duggar was charged last year, his parents Jim Bob and Michelle said: “The allegations being leveled against Joshua today are very serious.

“We pray that the truth, whatever it is, will come out and that all of this will be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and [his wife] Anna and keep praying for her family.”