19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar has been charged with receiving and possessing material showing the sexual abuse of children.
On Friday, he pleaded not guilty to the federal charges during a virtual court hearing.
The 33-year-old was taken into custody in Arkansas after he turned himself and he was charged with receiving and possessing child pornography.
The TV star allegedly downloaded child pornography material in May 2019. Some of the material he possesses shows children under the age of 12.
Duggar – whose wife Anna, 32, is pregnant with their seventh child – faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted.
On Friday, his heartbroken parents Michelle Duggar and Jim Bob released a statement and said they were praying for Josh and Anna.
“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time. The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious,” his parents said.
“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.”
Duggar’s sister, Jinger Vuolo, also took to Instagram and said: “We are disturbed to hear of the charges against Josh.
“While this case must go through the legal system, we want to make it clear that we absolutely condemn any form of child abuse and fully support the authorities and judicial process in their pursuit of justice.”
This comes after his father admitted to police in 2006 that Josh had molested five young girls when he was 14 and 15.
In 2015, Duggar was sued by a porn star for allegedly assaulting her during sex. However, the lawsuit was eventually dropped.
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