Photo: Danny Johnston/AP/Shutterstock; Peter Kramer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Michelle Duggaris asking a federal judge for leniency in sentencing her sonJosh Duggar, who was convicted onchild pornography chargesin December.
In a letter to Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas Federal Court, Michelle wrote that she wanted to “share some things about Joshua’s character that may not be fully known to the court” ahead of his sentencing, which isscheduled for May 25.
The Duggar matriarch, 55, added that she hopes “a fair and just sentence is determined.”
She also detailed her son’s positive attributes in the character reference, writing, “Joshua has a tender heart and he is compassionate toward others.”
Josh Duggar.Patsy Lynch/Shutterstock
“Joshua has always been a positive and upbeat person,” she wrote. “He is wise financially — saving money for the future and purposing not to go into debt. He is a good provider for his family, working diligently and thinking of creative ways to support and take care of his wife and children. He is also generous and shares his resources with others in need.”
Michelle called her son “organized and diligent individual” who “has set a good example of applying himself eagerly to his work and in many other responsibilities that he carries as a husband and father.”
She also shared Josh’s commitment to spending time with his wifeAnna Duggarand their children, writing, they have “have built forts, learned how to work on bicycles and other vehicles, gone camping, hiked, fished, and played countless games and sports — together!”
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Josh was arrested in April 2021 for receiving and possessing child pornography. In December, he wasfound guiltyon two charges for knowingly obtaining and owning the material. He faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines for the crime.
At the time of Josh’s verdict, many of his family membersreacted to the news, including his sisterJill (Duggar) Dillardand her husbandDerick Dillard.
“Today wasdifficult for our family. Our hearts go out to the victims of child abuse or any kind of exploitation,” astatement posted on the Dillard family websiteread.
“We are thankful for the hard work of law enforcement, including investigators, forensic analysts, prosecutors, and all others involved who save kids and hold accountable those responsible for their abuse,” their joint statement continued. “Nobody is above the law. It applies equally to everybody, no matter your wealth, status, associations, gender, race, or any other factor. Today, the people of the Western District of Arkansas made that clear in their verdict.”
Derick Dillard, Josh Duggar, Jill (Duggar) Dillard.youtube (2); shutterstock
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Josh’s conviction was only the latest in a series of personal scandals that rocked his family: The reality show that first made them all famouswas canceled in 2015after a 2006 police report was released revealing he had been investigated in connection with accusations that he had molested four younger girls when he was a boy and teenager.
Later in 2015,he also admittedto having a pornography addiction and being “unfaithful” in his marriage.
A spin-off of19 Kids and Countingthat followed his siblings, calledCounting On,was canceled after his arreston the child pornography charges.
source: people.com
