Former reality TV star Josh Duggar faces child porn charges

Former reality TV Star Josh Duggar is being held in a northwest Arkansas jail after being arrested by US federal authorities. Photo / AP

Former reality TV star Josh Duggar faces charges of downloading and possessing child pornography under a federal indictment unsealed today.

Federal prosecutors announced the indictment a day after Duggar was arrested by US Marshals in northwest Arkansas. Prosecutors said Duggar possessed the material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019.

Duggar, 33, pleaded not guilty at a hearing Friday. His attorneys said they planned to defend his case "aggressively and thoroughly."

Josh Duggar, the former reality TV star from TLC's "19 Kids and Counting," has been charged by indictment for receipt and possession of child pornography.https://t.co/C8Z0Jiug1c

— NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) April 30, 2021

And here it is. Josh Duggar was arrested for receipt and possession of material depicting the sexual abuse of children.

Stunningly, it appears that praying away pedophilia doesn't work. pic.twitter.com/Jfo0G533Sl

— Kara Calavera (@KaraCalavera) April 30, 2021

"In this country, no one can stop prosecutors from charging a crime," the attorneys said in a statement. "But when you're accused, you can fight back in the courtroom — and that is exactly what Josh intends to do."

A federal judge set a May 5 detention hearing and a July 6 trial date.

Duggar starred on TLC's "19 Kids and Counting" until it was pulled from the network in 2015 over revelations Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter. Duggar's parents said he had confessed to the fondling and apologised.

Duggar previously apologised for a pornography addiction and cheating on his wife.

If convicted, Duggar faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 on each count.

- AP