Josh Duggar begs judge to delay child pornography sentencing as he faces 20 years in prison

JOSH Duggar is begging a judge to push back his child pornography sentencing, as he faces up to 20 years in prison. 

Josh, 34, was found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography on December 9 after a nearly two-week trial. 

He faces up to 20 years in prison on each count and has a sentencing set for April 5. 

The Sun can exclusively reveal Josh is requesting to postpone the sentencing by 30 days while he remains behind bars in Washington County Jail in Arkansas. 

Court papers obtained by The Sun read: “Because of certain reasonable Covid-19 precautions understandably instituted at the jail at which Duggar is being detained, it has been more difficult scheduling meetings with Duggar than during more ordinary times.”

Josh’s legal team has had a delay in “scheduling certain attorney-client privileged meetings by videoconference with Duggar.”

The defense then explained they would “benefit from” a continuance to “provide additional time to pursue additional information and documentation.”

Josh’s legal team also has scheduling issues with unrelated cases, which would be resolved with a postponement. 

The legal team insisted that the request is “not intended to unnecessarily delay or hinder the proceedings.”

District Judge Timothy L. Brooks has yet to rule on the request. 

NEW TRIAL REQUEST

Josh’s legal team filed a motion for an acquittal of the guilty verdict, a new trial, or the dismissal of the possession of child pornography charge.

Prosecutors responded by claiming “the evidence of the defendant’s guilt is clear and overwhelming.”

Josh’s attorneys fired back by calling the trial and guilty verdict “unconstitutional.” 

A judge has not ruled on the appeal.

The Presentence Investigation Report, which helps determine the appropriate sentence, was completed in February. 

Josh’s legal team filed a response/objection to the findings, though all documents are sealed. 

HOW LONG BEHIND BARS?

The Sun previously spoke with Beverly Hills attorney Adam Michael Sacks regarding Josh’s sentencing. 

Judge Brooks will decide on the exact number of years based on a range determined by the Federal Sentencing Table that factors in criminal history, age of victims involved in the child sexual abuse material and more. 

The attorney exclusively told The Sun that he believes the father of seven will get the maximum sentence in the range. 

The lawyer, who specializes in family and criminal law, said: “The judge doesn’t have a lot of discretion because of the formula used for sentencing. 

“If the judge feels like he’s worth saving, he’ll go towards the lower end of the range. If Josh has a bad attitude in court or if he is influenced by victim statements, he’ll aim for the higher range.”

The attorney continued: “For Josh, I believe he will get a higher sentence. Courts don’t want to deal with being accused of giving special treatment and just giving a slap on the wrist.

“The judge might say, ‘People looked up to you. You were on television. You should’ve been a better example for the people who watched you.” 

The attorney also confirmed that Josh’s two charges will run concurrently, meaning he will serve both sentences at the same time.

SHOCKING TRIAL

Josh was arrested and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography in April 2021. 

The highly-publicized jury trial lasted two weeks before the jury submitted a guilty verdict on both counts. 

At trial, prosecutors presented damning evidence from Josh’s HP computer.

It was revealed that one file name found on his HP desktop computer was of a video of a “3-month-old being sexually abused.”

One folder contained 65 thumbnail files of an underage girl. 

The jury was shown the images and videos prosecutors claim were found on his computer.

Prosecutor William Clayman provided alleged texts and photos were taken on Josh’s phone at the car lot to show he was there at the same time child pornography content was downloaded at Wholesale Motorcars.

When the verdict was read, the Counting On alum was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody at Washington County Jail, where he was placed in solitary confinement away from other prisoners for his safety until his sentencing.

Josh shares seven children with his wife Anna, who has stood by his side.