Seth Udinski, FISM News
In a ruling that many predicted, former TLC star and disgraced Christian celebrity Joshua Duggar was found guilty of all charges against him for the downloading and possession of child pornography. The jury made its ruling in court on Thursday.
Duggar was arrested in spring of this year on charges of possession of roughly 200 images of child pornography on his computer. His legal team announced after the ruling that they plan to appeal the verdict, but it is unlikely they would be able to change the ruling. Duggar will now await his sentencing, which could result in him spending the next 20 to 40 years in prison and fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Duggar’s parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, reacted to their son’s guilty verdict, saying:
This entire ordeal has been very grievous. Today, God’s grace, through the love and prayers of so many, have sustained us. Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material). In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law (Josh’s wife) Anna and their children with love and support. As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children. In each of life’s circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.
This is the most recent controversy surrounding the Christian celebrity family. Previously, Joshua Duggar admitted to sexually abusing multiple underage girls as a teenager, including four of his younger sisters. He was never convicted of these crimes. This fact was brought up as evidence against Duggar in his trial.
There is not much Christians can do in this situation expect pray for the victims, their families, and the Duggar family, especially Joshua’s wife Anna and their seven children.