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Duggar family followers continue to keep up with the latest in Josh Duggar news following his April 2021 arrest. Back in April, federal agents arrested Josh on suspicion of downloading child sexual abuse material. Since the initial arrest, Josh and his legal team have gone to court to attempt to get the case dismissed. Unfortunately for the defense, they haven’t had success. Now, recent reports suggest the prosecution may bring up Josh’s past.

‘Counting On’ fans have been closely following the Duggar family since the April 2021 arrest

Josh Duggar speaks during the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Recent Josh Duggar news provides updates on his legal case
Josh Duggar speaks during the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) | Kris Connor/Getty Images

Josh Duggar initially made the news due to his April 2021 arrest. And Duggar family followers have been keeping up with his case ever since. According to an affidavit from Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerald Faulkner, law enforcement traced the IP address of the illegal downloads back to Josh’s car lot, Wholesale Motorcars. Agents questioned Josh and later received a warrant to confiscate his laptop, cell phone, and work computer.

Since the arrest, Josh’s legal team has worked hard to get the case dismissed. They also hoped to suppress evidence, like statements and photographs. Unfortunately for the defense, the courts denied their motions. Additionally, the courts decided not to dismiss the case. While some Duggar family members made initial statements about Josh’s case, they’ve largely remained silent about the ordeal.

Josh Duggar news: The prosecution may bring up Josh Duggar’s history in court

Josh Duggar's mug shot. Josh Duggar news notes his trial will occur in November 2021.
Josh Duggar | Washington County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images

Recent Josh Duggar news suggests Josh’s past might come into play in court. Law & Crime reports prosecutors asked a judge if they could bring up some of the scandals of the past. These include Josh’s alleged sexual abuse of his four sisters and a babysitter as well as the alleged pornography addiction he claimed to have. Josh’s abuse scandals of the past were leaked to major media outlets in 2015 and happened around 2002/2003.

“Specifically, the government notices its intent to introduce evidence that in approximately 2002 and 2003, before he committed the offenses charged in the indictment in this case …,” the prosecution wrote. The document continues by saying Josh committed the crime of “sexual assault in the second degree.”

When the scandal initially broke in 2015, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar spoke out. “He said he was just curious about girls and he had gone in and just basically touched them over their clothes while they were sleeping; they didn’t even know he had done it,” Jim Bob told Fox News at the time, according to The Washington Post. Jessa and Jill Duggar also self-identified as two of the sisters affected.

As for Josh’s alleged pornography addiction, the prosecutors wrote, “The defendant subsequently admitted his addiction to internet pornography to numerous witnesses the Government intends to call at trial.” The pornography addiction also led to Josh and Anna Duggar having the Covenant Eyes accountability program on their computer.

Did Josh Duggar take a plea deal?

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Josh Duggar’s Trial: Duggar Family Critics Question Who Will Pay $500,000 if Josh Is Charged on 2 Accounts

Josh Duggar’s trial is currently set for Nov. 30, 2021. It doesn’t seem as if he took a plea deal, either. A plea deal would give Josh the opportunity to plead guilty for the potential for a lighter sentence. While a plea deal could possibly benefit him in the long run, it seems he may be confident he can walk away without a guilty sentence.

For now, it seems the prosecution will begin to dig through Josh’s past prior to the trial.

How to get help: If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 for free and confidential support.

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