Former 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar sentenced to 12 years in prison on child pornography charges
Former reality star Josh Duggar has been sentenced to over 12 years in prison after being convicted on child pornography charges.
A judge on Wednesday sentenced Duggar, who starred in the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting, to 12.5 years in prison. His lawyers asked for a sentence of five years, while prosecutors asked for 20 years, the maximum, according to The Associated Press.
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Duggar asked for a new trial, but the judge ruled there was "no merit to Mr. Duggar's argument in favor of acquittal," BuzzFeed News reports. One count against him was dropped, however, as the judge said he didn't knowingly distribute pornography, according to People. Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin Roberts said Duggar "has a deep-seated, pervasive, and violent sexual interest in children."
Travis Story, Duggar's attorney, told TMZ "we're grateful the judge dismissed" the one count against him and "rejected the government's request for a 240-month sentence," adding, "We look forward to continuing the fight on appeal."
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