Former 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar has been indicted on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography.
A federal grand jury in the Western District of Arkansas indicted Duggar, alleging that in 2019 he knowingly received images of children under the age of 12. The former TLC star has been charged on two counts pertaining to child pornography.
On Friday, Duggar s attorneys – Justin Gelfand, Travis Story and Greg Payne – said in a joint statement that their client has pled not guilty to both charges and plans to fight back in the courtroom.
Charlie Robbins, a public affairs officer for the U.S. Attorney s Office in the Western District of Arkansas, told USA TODAY that the government has requested Duggar remain in jail. The former reality star s attorneys have requested a detention hearing to allow Duggar out on bond, which will be held virtually May 5, Robbins added.
Josh Duggar Pleads Not Guilty to Receiving and Possessing Child Porn thewrap.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thewrap.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Josh Duggar arraigned on child porn charges
Josh Duggar arraigned on child porn charges
April 30, 202111:31 am
Josh Duggar was arraigned in federal court today on federal charges, not revealed then because he waived the reading of the charge, but a subsequent news release revealed he faces charges of receipt and possession of material depicting child sexual abuse.
Federal Magistrate Erin Wiedemann set a bond hearing May 5.
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She also said Duggar would not be allowed to have minors around him if he were released.
UPDATE: Soon after, the U.S. attorney’s office revealed Duggar faces charges related to receipt and possession of material depicting the sexual abuse of children:
Josh Duggar in Ames, Iowa, August 9, 2014. | REUTERS/Brian Frank
Josh Duggar of 19 Kids and Counting fame pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of child pornography Friday, one day after he was arrested for allegedly receiving and possessing material showing the sexual abuse of children.
Duggar, 33, is best-known as the eldest son of ultra-conservative Christian parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. His father served in the Arkansas House from 1999 to 2002.
Following his arrest by FBI agents, a hearing was held virtually over Zoom in the Western District of Arkansas Friday. Represented by his attorney, Travis W. Story, Duggar appeared from jail and was seen smiling before the hearing kicked off, Fox News reported.
By ROBERT A. CRONKLETON | The Kansas City Star | Published: April 30, 2021 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Tribune News Service) A 42-year-old Army National Guardsman pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually abusing four children while he was director of youth ministry at Fort Leonard Wood, according to the U.S. Attorney s office. David J. McKay pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of transporting a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and four counts of sexually abusing a minor, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney s Office for the Western District of Missouri. At the time the crimes were committed, McKay was the youth ministry director for the Religious Services Office at the Army base. All of the victims met McKay through the youth group, according to the plea agreement.