Jim Bob Duggar is ‘worried about his son Josh’s safety after child porn bust and is building a fence for protection’
JOSH Duggar’s dad Jim Bob is worried about his son’s safety after his child porn bust – and is planning to build a fence to ward off trespassers, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
The 33-year-old father of six was recently arrested and charged with receiving and possessing child pornography, which investigators called the “worst of the worst,” and is now out on bail.
He is residing at the home of family friends, Lacount and Maria Reber, who agreed to be Josh’s third party custodians and live in a nearby mansion in Elkins, Arkansas.
A source has exclusively told The Sun Jim Bob is planning to pay for a fence to be built at the Rebers property, as everyone is concerned for their safety ahead of the trial.
The insider said: “Jim Bob is doing everything he can for Josh, and he’s worried about the attention on him and the family.
“He’s concerned about photographers in town covering the case, and anyone who might want to hurt Josh because of the crimes he’s accused of.
“Those who have rebelled against the family think it’s disgusting he’s pulling out all the stops for him years after he was forgiven for molesting his own sisters.
“Jim Bob has offered to pay for a new fence to be built at the Rebers to also keep them safe, along with Josh’s wife, Anna, and the kids when they go and visit.”
The Sun has reached out to the Duggar family’s rep and The Rebers for comment, but did not hear back.
According to Arkansas property records obtained by The Sun, Lacount, 49, and Maria, 53, bought nine acres of land in 2005 for $68,000.
In 2007, the couple built a one-story house on one-acre of the property, featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms.
The exterior of the home has brick and slab, and the interior has tile and carpeting throughout.
The house also boasts a fireplace and porch.
Josh will have privacy living with the Rebers, as a long gravel driveway leads from the main road to the home.
The abode is an upgrade from his previous living conditions, as he resided on the Duggar family compound in a renovated warehouse with his pregnant wife and six children.
The Sun revealed Josh’s new neighbors are also concerned about their safety as his third-party custodians “warned” those living nearby that he would be moving in.
Jason Gemeiner, who lives behind the Reber’s property, exclusively told The Sun of Josh living next door: “I’m a little concerned, but there is not much I can do about it.
“I have a teen daughter so that’s my concern, but she’s a strong girl! We’re spread apart. There is a horse pasture in between us. It’s not like we interact. Everyone keeps to themselves.”
According to conditions of release obtained by The Sun, Josh must reside at the residence of Lacount and Maria at all times except for employment, education, religious services, medical or mental health treatment, attorney visits, court-ordered obligations, court hearings or other activities approved by a parole officer.
Travel is restricted to Western District of Arkansas, Fayetteville Division unless given approval from the U.S. Probation Office. That includes Benton, Washington and Madison counties.
The Arkansas judge ordered Josh to wear a GPS ankle monitor.
He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of downloading and possessing images and videos depicting sexual abuse of minor children, some as young as toddlers.
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The charges are related to the 2019 Homeland Security raid on his now-shuttered used car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas, a source told The Sun.
In November 2019, Homeland Security Investigations conducted an “ongoing federal investigation” at the lot, but no charges were filed against Josh– until now.
Josh, who is facing 40 years in prison if convicted, will attend a pretrial hearing on July 1 before the trial begins on July 6.