JOSH Duggar has claimed TLC “threatened to cancel” the family’s long-running reality show if he didn’t agree to apologize for an alleged pornography addiction he is now denying he has.
Josh, 37, made the admission in a motion for a new trial.
Josh Duggar is serving a 151-month sentence at FCI Seagoville in Dallas, Texas[/caption]
Josh is fighting for a new trial or to have his conviction overturned[/caption]
In court papers exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun, Josh explained how his 2015 “corporate-driven statement” on the Duggar family’s Facebook page regarding his “sex addiction” was brought up at trial.
It reads: “In August 2015, a statement was published on the Duggar family’s Facebook page under (Josh’s) name, claiming he had secretly viewed pornography, led a double life, and been unfaithful to his wife.
“(Josh) did not write or approve the creation of this statement, nor was he directly involved in the process leading up to its release.
“The statement was drafted and issued under immense pressure from representatives of TLC, Discovery Communications, and their legal and public relations teams.”
The court papers continued that the Duggar family “faces threats of television show cancellation and possible contractual penalties or punishment if a public confession-style statement was not released”.
He said he was not consulted or given the opportunity to prevent the publication of the statement.
He claims that despite this, prosecution “used the statement at trial to paint a damaging picture of Josh’s character”.
Josh says it was “repeatedly cited to suggest a long-standing pattern of secret pornography use and moral failure”.
He said he has “never been diagnosed with any pornography addiction”.
The court papers continued: “The prosecution referenced this statement repeatedly to imply guilt and to create a narrative of hidden sexual addiction and deceit.”
Defense raised challenges throughout the trial, but were unable to fully rebut because of “concerns counsel were required to address,” he claimed.
He said this “violated” his “constitutional rights” under the “Fifth and Sixth Amendments”.
It continued that “the government’s use of a false, externally pressure, and unapproved public statement severely prejudiced the jury’s perception of Joshua Duggar”.
Josh slammed his ex-girlfriend’s mother Bobye Holt in his appeal for a new trial[/caption]
One of the dorms at FCI Seagoville in Dallas, Texas[/caption]
JOSH’S SCANDAL
In 2025, the former TLC star admitted to using adultery dating service Ashley Madison.
He said: “I have been the biggest hypocrite ever.
“While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife.
“I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him.”
BATTLE WITH EX
Also in the court papers, Josh listed several reasons why his “constitutional rights” were “violated” and how he was “deprived of a fair trial”.
The U.S. Sun previously reported one of the grounds included “uncorroborated and prejudicial testimony” from Bobye Holt.
Bobye was once close friends with the Duggar family and testified against Josh at his 2021 trial.
Bobye testified on the stand that the plan was for her oldest daughter and Josh to “get married,” but she and her husband Jim decided to call off the courtship after learning of his reported molestation as a teen.
Bobye testified at the 2021 trial: “He told us so our oldest daughter would know why the relationship had to end. Josh went to a facility for troubled youth.”
Bobye cried in the courtroom as she claimed she “still loves” Josh despite his past behavior and that “being here is miserable”.
But in Josh’s motion, he slammed Bobye for her testimony.
The court papers read, “Despite multiple objections from defense counsel, the trial court allowed Holt to testify about an alleged confession of uncharged criminal conduct by the defendant dating back to 2003,” the court papers read.
“Holt refused to speak to defense counsel prior to trial, and the prosecution failed to disclose key facts undermining her credibility.”
He claimed she had made numerous “anti-Duggar” statements on social media and has a “deep-rooted desire to destroy the Duggar family”.
Josh claimed in the court papers: “In many ways, she resembled a bitter ex who hated Joshua since she couldn’t have him for her own daughter.
“She also participated in paid, anti-Duggar media productions, including an Amazon docuseries, appearing alongside her husband, which directly defamed and disparaged the Duggar family.
“This pattern of hostility and bias was not disclosed to the jury.”
Josh is referring to when Bobye and her husband appeared on Amazon Prime’s Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets in June 2023.
The docuseries exposed the Duggar family’s belief in the controversial organization The Institute of Basic Life Principles.
The court papers continued her testimony “denied him a fair trial,” as he begged the court to drop the conviction and sentence, or to conduct a hearing to examine the issue raised.
Other reasons for the guilty verdict to be tossed include “false testimony by a government agent,” a government agent’s alleged “perjury,” excluded evidence at trial of an “alternative perpetrator” and more.
Also in the court papers, Josh stated he is unemployed, has no savings, owns no property or assets and owes debts including “legal restitution and fines.”
Josh went on to marry his now-wife Anna, 37, who he shares seven children with.
MOLESTATION SCANDAL
In a 2006 police report obtained by In Touch, Josh was accused of molesting five underage females in the family home from 2002 to 2003.
His younger sisters Jill, 29, and Jessa, 28, came forward as two of the victims in an interview with Megyn Kelly.
Josh was never charged and released a statement at the time on his Facebook page.
It said: “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.
“I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation.
“We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling.”
JOSH’S APPEAL BATTLE
Josh has been fighting for a new trial, as he even begged an Arkansas court provide him a new legal team for free.
The U.S. Sun previously reported on Josh’s request for counsel to file another appeal on May 12.
Josh claimed his case involves “complex constitutional and evidentiary issues, particularly relating to legal rulings and strategic decisions made during trial proceedings, errors in the admission of forensic evidence, and potential Brady violations.
“These issues may be relevant for a collateral attack and require skilled legal counsel to thoroughly review and evaluate all potential grounds for relief.”
He claimed that since his 2021 trial, “new legal theories and strategies have emerged in public discourse that may be relevant to the Defendant’s case.”
Josh said he lacks the resources and legal training to properly investigate himself.
Josh also noted that he is “unable to afford counsel” due to his “current financial circumstances”.
The filing ended: “I ask the Court to consider my request in light of the complexity of my case and the time-sensitive nature of the statutory deadline.”
The U.S. Sun obtained a letter written by Josh to Judge Timothy L. Brooks begging him for help with the request.
The May 12, 2025 letter to the judge, who handled Josh’s trial, began, “I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to respectfully submit a Motion Requesting the Appointment of Counsel.
“I am currently incarcerated and proceeding pro se,” which means on his own behalf. “I seek the Court’s assistance in appointing counsel to help evaluate my case and, if appropriate, prepare a motion to vacate, set aside, or correct my conviction and sentence.
“During my time of incarceration, I have worked diligently to focus on education, personal growth, my faith, and to maintain strong family ties.
“However, as I review my case, I believe there are significant issues relating to trial errors, evidentiary rulings, and other constitutional violations that merit a thorough post-conviction review.
“I am unable to fully assess these matters on my own, which is why I seek the assistance of qualified counsel to help evaluate whether relief is justified.”
Josh then requested the court grant the motion and appoint counsel “for the limited purpose of assisting me in evaluating and preparing a potential motion.”
Josh’s request for a new legal team was denied.
Lawyers for Josh who represented him in his child pornography case did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
APPEAL BATTLE
Josh has maintained his innocence and has been fighting to appeal the conviction since his sentencing in May 2022.
Josh first filed an appeal to the conviction in October 2022.
In August 2023, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request for a new trial.
Josh’s then-lawyer, Justin Gelfand, argued federal agents allegedly seized his phone when he tried to contact his attorney during a raid at his car lot a year and a half before the arrest.
He spoke to the agents without counsel present.
The court papers read of the court’s decision to deny the new trial, “It is true that the agents read him his Miranda rights, which ordinarily might leave someone with the impression they are in custody.
“But when Duggar signed a form acknowledging his rights, he had the agents ‘scratch . . . out’ the portion saying that he was being ‘taken into custody.’ Modifying the form made it clear he was free to leave.
“The second and third factors also favor the government. Duggar sat in the front passenger seat of the agents’ truck during the interview. They ‘did not handcuff him, the doors remained unlocked, and he entered and exited the front seat of the vehicle on his own,’ which means he’ retained freedom of movement throughout the’ encounter.
“And although the agents ‘initiated contact with’ Duggar, he still ‘voluntarily acquiesced’ to the questioning. Indeed, he began the interview with a question of his own—'[h]as somebody been downloading child pornography?’—and ‘continued to converse’ with them for about an hour.
“Finally, Duggar was not ‘arrest[ed] at the termination of the questioning.’ To the contrary, he ended the interview on his own and
then left the dealership—hardly an option available to someone in custody.”
The judgment ended, “We accordingly affirm the judgment of the district court.”
The Supreme Court then officially denied the conviction appeal in June 2024.
Josh Duggar’s Legal Timeline
Former 19 Kids and Counting star Josh Duggar was sentenced to 151 months in prison for downloading and possessing child sex abuse images in December 2021. Here’s the timeline of the ex-reality star’s legal woes.
- Josh was initially accused of downloading child sexual abuse material in May 2019 after an investigation by Homeland Security Investigators.
- Later that November, Homeland Security visited the car dealership where Josh was working to raid his computer.
- On April 29, 2021, Josh was arrested and held without bail at an Arkansas jail.
- He was charged the next day during a hearing at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas via Zoom with receiving and possessing child sex abuse images, to which he pled not guilty.
- Josh’s trial began on November 30, 2021, in a federal courtroom in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and a verdict was reached on December 9, 2021.
- He was found guilty of knowing and receiving child sex abuse material.
- In May 2022, Josh was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $50,100 in fines and special assessments.
- Josh’s legal team later appealed the conviction to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, which was denied in late 2023.
- Shortly after, Josh again appealed for a new trial, with his attorney arguing that federal agents wouldn’t allow Josh to call him at the time of his arrest.
- On June 24, 2024, Josh’s request was again rejected.
IN COURT
Josh was arrested and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography in April 2021.
He was found guilty after a nearly two-week trial in Arkansas.
Josh was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison in May and was transferred to FCI Seagoville in June 2022.
The U.S. Sun reported his release date has been pushed back to December 23, 2032.
This is the second time Josh’s release date has been postponed, as he was originally set to be freed on August 12, 2032.
Josh was last seen walking around the prison’s track in December 2024, his first appearance behind prison walls in years.
Josh with his wife Anna, who has stood by her husband’s side[/caption]
