Josh Duggaris facing a potential 40-year prison sentence.
During his court appearance Friday, the former19 Kids and Countingstarpleaded not guiltyto two charges: one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. (His attorneys declined to have the judge read out the charges against him.)
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas, Josh faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 on each of the two counts if he is convicted, making his total possible sentence 40 years.
Josh Duggar in 2015.Kris Connor/Getty Images
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If Josh is released, the judge added that he will have to be “in a residence where there’sno minor in the home,” meaning he will not be allowed to return to his Arkansas home with his wifeAnna Duggarand their six kids —Maryella Hope, 5 months,Mason Garrett, 3½,Meredith Grace, 5½,Marcus Anthony, 7½,Michael James, 9½, andMackynzie Renée, 11.
Josh Duggar.courtesy Washington county arkansas
“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time. The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious,” their joint statement read. “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.”
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on Josh Duggar.
The reality star, whose wife is currentlypregnant with their seventh child, has faced various controversies since entering the public eye with his family on their TLC reality series.
Most notably, in mid-May 2015, Josh apologized for his “wrongdoing” after a 2006 police report revealed that he had been investigated as a teen for inappropriately touching five underage girls. His sisters Jill, 29, and Jessa, 28, subsequentlystepped forward as two of the victims.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
