Reality TV star accused of having child porn, some victims under 12, prosecutors claim

One of the stars of the reality show “19 Kids and Counting” was arrested and accused of possessing child pornography. 

Josh Duggar, 33, was arrested in Arkansas this week and appeared in federal court on April 30. Prosecutors announced the same day that they charged him with receiving and possessing child pornography. 

Duggar used the internet to download child sexual abuse images, according to prosecutors. He had the material in May 2019 and some of the victims were under 12 years old. 

The television star now faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 on each count of possessing child pornography. Duggar, through his attorneys, pleaded not guilty to the charges during a hearing on April 30, according to media reports. 

He remains in an Arkansas jail until a hearing scheduled for next week. 

The case is being prosecuted as part of a national initiative to combat child sexual abuse. The program started in May 2006. 

Duggar was one of the family members on the show “19 Kids and Counting,” which aired on the TLC network. Duggar faced previous accusations of molesting young girls in 2002 and 2003. Those allegations led to the cancelation of the TV show.