Arkansas Jail/ MEGA
Josh Duggar‘s request to appeal his child pornography conviction has been terminated.
According to court documents received by We on Tuesday, October 10, the conviction of Duggar has been upheld by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit after his trial in 2021. The paperwork states that a mandate was issued on Thursday, October 5.
Duggar's lawyer filed an appeal in October 2022, requesting a new trial. During a hearing in February, attorney Justin Gelfand claimed that Duggar's phone was seized while he was trying to contact his legal representation when federal agents raided his place of business before his arrest in April 2021. However, the court of appeals argued that Duggar willingly agreed to being questioned.
Duggar was convicted of possessing and receiving child sexual abuse material in December 2021, following his arrest eight months earlier. His trial garnered significant attention, and throughout the proceedings, his wife Anna Duggar stood by his side, as they have seven children together. In May 2022, Anna attended his sentencing, during which he was given a prison term of 151 months. Initially set to be released in August 2032, it was later revealed in a report by Us that his sentence has been extended until October 2032.
While some members of Josh's family have chosen not to discuss the scandal, others have been vocal about it. Jinger Duggar, his sister, spoke publicly in January about the impact of her brother's arrest.
She exclusively told Us that discussing it has been one of the toughest challenges. However, she expressed gratitude for the justice system and the fact that justice is being served for her brother. Jinger, 29, acknowledged that this difficult situation has compelled her to rely more on her faith, stating, "My heart breaks for the victims and their families."
Josh had a previous encounter with the law in 2015 when he faced allegations of molesting several teenage girls, including his sisters. In the same year, he also admitted to cheating on Anna following a data breach on the website Ashley Madison, which facilitated extramarital affairs.
Speaking exclusively to Us in April 2021, Jinger shared her lasting memory of that moment. She emphasized that being in the public eye adds an extra layer of difficulty to dealing with such personal challenges, as they not only have to navigate their own emotions but also address the scrutiny of the world. This makes the journey much more demanding to traverse.
Jill Duggar, Jinger's sister, has also joined in expressing her thoughts on Josh's recent scandal. However, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, the parents, have chosen to steadfastly support their oldest son.
In a statement released in December 2021, the couple, who have 19 children, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. They expressed sympathy for anyone who has been affected by child sexual abuse material and vowed to surround Anna and her children with love. They assured the public that as parents, they will never stop praying for Joshua and loving him, just like they do for all of their children. They also emphasized their trust in God as their source of strength and refuge, and expressed gratitude for the prayers received.