19 Kids & Counting Josh Duggar Files Motion To Delay Sentencing
New reports have confirmed that 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar filed a motion to delay his sentence after being convicted for receiving and possessing child pornography. Josh was first arrested in April 2021. At the time, his lawyer pleaded not guilty, and he was released on the condition that he would remain with his family in home confinement. However, Josh's release was brief as the Arkansas native was later found guilty on two charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material in December 2021. He now faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count.
Josh's sexual abuse scandal consequently led to the end of his family's reality series. Following his conviction, the Duggar family members expressed their feelings about the situation. Speaking on the 33-year-old political activist's arrest, his parents, Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar, said God's grace gave them the wield to stay strong. The elder Duggars also sent prayers to all victims of sexual abuse. The offender's sister, Jinger Duggar, expressed concerns for Josh's family and the abuse victims. Although Josh's case was an embarrassment to his family, it did not stop his wife Anna, 33, who he wed in 2008, from standing by him.
Several months after Josh's trial and conviction, reports confirmed that he filed a motion to delay his sentencing. Court documents obtained by Us Weekly noted, "Defendant Joshua James Duggar, by and through undersigned counsel, respectfully requests that this Court continue the sentencing hearing in this case by approximately 30 days." The documents revealed that the defendant would benefit from a brief continuance to provide additional time to pursue additional information and documentation related to a possible 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) consideration.
On Saturday, March 19, his legal team requested a continuance due to "certain reasonable" coronavirus virus precautions followed at the Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas. According to the document, the "brief continuance" would give Josh's legal team more time to obtain useful evidence to present as the court determines an appropriate judgment. The motion further revealed that Josh's attorneys experienced some delay in scheduling certain attorney-client meetings by video conference due to COVID-19 precautions. Josh's sentencing is currently scheduled for Tuesday, April 5.
The 19 Kids and Counting star's conviction was not a surprise to many as there had been rumors about his porn preference. Josh's actions brought dishonor to his family, and his conviction was inevitable as concrete evidence proved he possessed child pornography. Although Josh's legal team has requested that his sentencing date be postponed, his judgment will eventually come. With the offender's sentencing close, fans can only pray his family has enough strength to pull through.
Source: Us Weekly