Josh Duggar sentencing live updates — Anna Duggar would not start ‘a new life with another man’ after husband’s sentence

Jill’s relationship with Josh

Jill’s connection with Josh appears to be strained as well when she came forward as one of his molestation victims in 2015, per Us Weekly.

“This is something that we chose to do. Nobody asked us to do this,” Jill told Megyn Kelly in June 2015, adding that she has “forgiven” her brother for his previous actions.

Jill Duggar’s connection with the family

After leaving Counting On in 2017, the Growing Up Duggar writer and her husband Dillard took a step back from the Duggar family, Us Weekly reported.

In a YouTube Q&A, Jill said: “We found out we didn’t have as much control over our lives as it related to the show and stuff, as we needed.

“We’re not on the best terms with some of my family. We’ve had some disagreements, but we’re working toward healing definitely and restoration, but we’re having to kind of just take some time and heal.”

Anna’s attempts to lessen husband’s sentence

Anna remained at her husband’s side during his trial, smiling and holding his hand on several occasions.

She sent a letter to the judge after his conviction in an attempt to get his sentence reduced, writing: “Joshua sees the best in people and is willing to walk alongside them to help make their dreams a reality.

“I ask that you consider reuniting us as a family again soon.

“Joshua is an engaged dad who gladly throws a football with his sons, listens to our daughters play a new song they have learned on the piano, helps answer homework questions, or lends a hand sweeping up spilled crackers. He is a kind, loving, supportive, and caring father and husband.”

Anna would not leave Josh

Following Josh Duggar’s prison sentence, Anna Duggar isn’t considering leaving him to start a new life with someone else, a source exclusively told In Touch.

The source said: “She’s not the type to look for or even consider starting a new life with another man, but there are plenty of upstanding, religious men in the church who would appreciate and take care of a woman like Anna. There’s a lot of sympathy for her.”

Michelle Duggar’s heartfelt letter

Michelle sent a poignant letter on Josh’s behalf before his sentencing, appealing for a lesser sentence.

In a letter shared by Us Weekly, Michelle wrote: “My heart is to share some things about Joshua’s character that may not be fully known to the court. It is my sincere hope these things are taken into consideration as a fair and just sentence is determined.

“Joshua has always been a positive and upbeat person. He is wise financially — saving money for the future and purposing not to go into debt.

“He is a good provider for his family, working diligently and thinking of creative ways to support and care of his wife and children.”

Process was ‘grievous,’ continued

The couple claimed that the “entire ordeal has been very grievous” when Josh was sentenced in December 2021.

According to Us Weekly, Jim Bob and Michelle expressed their sorrow for “anyone who has even been harmed through [child sexual abuse material],” before promising to continue to support Josh’s wife, Anna Duggar, and her seven children.

They also said: “In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law Anna and their children with love and support.

“As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children. In each of life’s circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.”

Process was ‘grievous’

After Josh pled not guilty to receiving and possessing child pornography in April 2021, his parents remained supportive of their son.

The heads of the Duggar family, on the other hand, also promised to trust the judicial system.

“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time,” they said to Us Weekly in April 2021. “The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious.

“It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family.”

Fans wonder at lack of statement from Jinger

Other Reddit users questioned why Jinger and her husband Jeremy hadn’t officially spoken out about Josh’s sentencing, despite other family members having done so.

“I’m surprised they haven’t released a statement,” one remarked.

“I wonder why they didn’t make a statement. I bet JB flew off the handle at the sisters who made one last time and they didn’t want to rock the boat even more,” someone else wrote, commenting on Jinger’s father Jim Bob‘s open support for his son.

‘A not to subtle jab’

The photo made its way onto Reddit, where users commented on the pair’s possible message.

“A not so subtle jab at pest,” the original poster wrote, referencing the eldest Duggar sibling.

“He isn’t going super overboard or anything, it’s just subtle but I think it is very genuine at the same time. By Duggar standards, Jinger is pretty lucky,” another person replied.

Jinger and husband Jeremy’s subtle dig

Fans think Jinger and her husband, Jeremy Vuolo, may have opened up about her brother Josh Duggar’s sentencing on social media after previously being quiet on their platforms.

Jeremy, 34, shared a photo on Instagram of the pair looking happy as they smiled at the camera while Jinger sported a white tee-shirt, no makeup, and her hair pulled back into a ponytail for the outdoor outing.

Notably, the former football star donned a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball cap and a white tee-shirt embroidered with the words “Save the Children,” which some fans felt was in reference to his feelings towards Josh‘s child sexual abuse material crimes.

Jeremy wrote in the caption: “Hey Siri, play ‘The Luckiest.’”

‘He’s legitimately addicted’

People following the legal case were shocked by Josh Duggar’s legal team’s objection to the adult pornography ban.

“Yet Anna still won’t leave him,” one Reddit user commented on a thread about the sentencing hearing.

“He such a good Christian crying because he’s banned from porn.”

Another person wrote: “Imagine that? THIS is what they’re worried about. He hasn’t even been assigned to a prison yet and he’s already thinking about porn when he gets out. Not his kids, not his family, not where he will find gainful employment, nope he’s focused on….PORN.”

A third Redditor wrote: “Probably know how he will not give that up because he’s legitimately addicted, so they know that increases his likelihood to violate his probation.”

Josh’s legal team objected to adult pornography ban

As part of Josh Duggar’s punishment for his crimes, he cannot access or view any kind of pornography when he is released from prison.

Josh is forbidden from owning a computer or electronic devices capable of storing pornographic content or with access to the internet without his probation officer’s approval and internet-monitoring software must be installed on any such devices.

Josh’s legal team objected to the adult pornography ban, but Judge Timothy L Brooks, who presided over the sentencing hearing, overruled both objections.

Josh Duggar’s computer in ‘custody’

According to a new legal filing obtained by The Sun on May 27, the HP desktop computer Josh Duggar used to view and download child pornography, which has been in federal custody, is now subject to forfeiture.

The forfeiture is because of Duggar’s guilty verdict.

This essentially means that it has been ordered that the computer will remain in custody.

The order was signed by Judge Timothy L Brooks.

Two weeks to appeal

Josh Duggar had 14 days to appeal the sentence after it was handed down, according to The Sun’s court reporter at the sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

What is CSAM?

While the legal term for the charges against Josh Duggar is child pornography, many survivors and advocacy groups prefer the term child sexual abuse material, or CSAM.

“United States federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor (a person less than 18 years old),” the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children writes on its website.

“Outside of the legal system, NCMEC chooses to refer to these images as Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) to most accurately reflect what is depicted – the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.”

What is Josh Duggar’s sentence?

Josh Duggar was arrested for possession of child pornography on April 29, 2021.

Josh was ultimately found guilty of the charges brought against him and sentenced to more than 12 years in prison on May 25, 2022.

Duggar’s legal team asked for 5 years

Previously, although the prosecution asked for Josh Duggar to be sentenced to 20 years in prison, Duggar’s legal team asked Judge Timothy L Brooks for the disgraced reality star to be given just five years behind bars before the sentencing hearing took place on Wednesday.

Prosecution’s recommendation was 240 months

The Sun previously reported that prosecutors asked for Josh Duggar to be sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The government wrote in the sentencing memorandum: “In consideration of the extraordinary efforts Duggar took to obtain and view child sexual abuse material (CSAM), the nature of the CSAM he obtained and viewed, his efforts to conceal his criminal conduct, and his refusal to take accountability for or acknowledge any of his criminal conduct, the Government recommends the Court impose a guideline term of imprisonment of 240 months.”

Hotline and live support

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).

RAINN also has a live chat available if you would like to speak with a trained staff member who can provide you with confidential crisis support.

Amy Duggar: Josh going away for ‘a long time’

“Josh is going to go away for a really long time,” Amy Duggar told The Sun in an exclusive interview.

“He’s going to go away and he’s going to get the same treatment that he watched those kids get. It’s going to happen, guaranteed.”

‘My heart is with the victims’

“Everyone’s lives have been altered because of what my cousin has done,” Amy added in a video interview for The Sun before the sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

“As for Josh’s character, I am just so grateful that I was protected from my cousin as a child.”

“20 years isn’t enough. I truly believe that he will offend again, and my heart is with the victims and with you Judge Brooks.”

“We are grateful for your wisdom in this matter, please hear us.”

‘An appalling slap in the face’

“Offering leniency as his legal team has requested would be an appalling slap in the face to the children already so grievously harmed,” Amy added in the letter she read to The Sun.

“The harsh sentence this Court could impose could still never come close for the children hurt by these sinister acts. It upset me greatly to see that no one who chose to provide a character reference for Josh expressed any concern for the victims. None.”

Amy continued: “My cousin and his supporters would like you to believe that this is a victimless crime, but it is not.”

“I want to remind the court that this is not only the victim that has been hurt, but their entire families.”

‘False character references’

In a letter, which wasn’t used by the prosecution, that Amy Duggar read to The Sun ahead of the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Amy broke down as she begged Judge Timothy L Brooks to not go easy on her cousin Josh Duggar.

She read: “Dear Honorable Judge Brooks, my other family members have written to you with pleads of leniency for my cousin. They want you to consider his good acts instead of his heinous crimes. This is not that kind of letter.”

“I am not interested in providing false character references for Josh as my other family members have so recklessly done,” she added.

“I trust this court doesn’t need reminding that godly men of good character don’t commit unspeakable crimes against children or that returning this monster to a family with young children without severe long-lasting consequences would surely be a disaster.”

‘He’s a monster’

Amy Duggar hadn’t reached out to her cousin before the sentencing hearing and told The Sun she had no plans to, saying: “I would not speak to him. I have nothing to say. I have nothing to say. I never knew him. I never knew him.”

“What a terrible life he’s lived and will be living. He’s a monster.”

‘He’s in for a rude awakening’

Before the sentencing hearing, Amy Duggar insisted that when it comes to Josh Duggar’s sentence, patriarch Jim Bob, who she is no longer on speaking terms with, “can’t stop him from going to prison.”

She said: “He’s in for a rude awakening very much so, I don’t know how he’s feeling. I don’t know if he feels like he has a good legal team and maybe it’ll work out for him.”

She said of Josh, “Either way, whatever prison he goes to is probably going to feel like a year every single day. He has no idea what’s to come.”

“At this point, I think he’s lost his dang mind. He was privileged growing up. Weren’t we all? We were part of a TV show. You grow up on camera you think, you have perks.”

“I don’t think he’s ever really repented and taken responsibility for his actions because he’s never had to until now.”