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’19 Kids and Counting’ Star Josh Duggar Charges Reportedly Released After Arrest

Reality show star Josh Duggar is facing charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. That’s after federal agents in Washington County, Arkansas arrested the “19 Kids and Counting” star on Thursday.

Duggar, 33, allegedly knowingly accepted child pornography in mid-May of 2019, TMZ reports. He allegedly then knowingly possessed images of minors below the age of 12 during the months since.

Authorities charged Duggar by indictment. He faces two counts – both receiving and possessing child pornography. A conviction could bring up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 per count.

Duggar appeared from jail by Zoom before a judge at the Western District of Arkansas Federal Court. He pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Next week, a court hearing will take place to decide whether Duggar can be released on bond. Until then, he will remain in custody.

The judge said that if bond is granted, Duggar will have to stay with a third-party custodian who cannot have unsupervised minors in the home, per TMZ.

In the meantime, Duggar must forfeit any material relevant to the case. That includes giving authorities any and all of his computer equipment.

Duggar’s trial will take place in July.

’19 Kids and Counting’ Made Duggar a Star

The TLC reality show “19 Kids and Counting” showcased the Duggars, a family led by Jim Bob and Michelle which included 19 kids. The show launched in 2008. Josh Duggar is the eldest son in the family. The show also features his wife, Anna Duggar.

In 2015, Duggar became mired in scandal when it surfaced that he had allegedly molested five underage girls as a teenager, including two of his sisters. According to People, the treatment program where he spent three months was not run by a qualified counselor but by a family friend of the Duggars who had a background in home remodeling.

Duggar had run a car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas which was raided by Homeland Security agents in November of 2019 as part of an ongoing federal investigation.