JOSH Duggar could receive a “maximum sentence” for child pornography charges due to his “celebrity status,” a criminal lawyer claimed to The Sun. Josh, 34, was found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography on December 9. While he faces up to 20 years in prison on each count, District Judge Timothy L. Brooks will […]
JOSH Duggar could receive a “maximum sentence” for child pornography charges due to his “celebrity status,” a criminal lawyer claimed to The Sun.
Josh, 34, was found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography on December 9.
While he faces up to 20 years in prison on each count, District Judge Timothy L. Brooks will decide on the exact number of years based on a range determined by the Federal Sentencing Table that factors in criminal history, age of victims involved in the child sexual abuse material and more.
Beverly Hills attorney Adam Michael Sacks exclusively told The Sun that he believes the father of seven will get the maximum sentence in the range.
The lawyer, who specializes in family and criminal law, told The Sun: “The judge doesn’t have a lot of discretion because of the formula used for sentencing.
“If the judge feels like he’s worth saving, he’ll go towards the lower end of the range. If Josh has a bad attitude in court or if he is influenced by victim statements, he’ll aim for the higher range.”
The attorney continued: “For Josh, I believe he will get a higher sentence. Courts don’t want to deal with being accused of giving special treatment and just giving a slap on the wrist.
“The judge might say, ‘People looked up to you. You were on television. You should’ve been a better example for the people who watched you.”
According to the sentencing table viewed by The Sun, Josh could receive a minimum of six years in prison and a maximum of 14 years in prison depending what exact range he falls into.
The attorney also confirmed that Josh’s two charges will run concurrently, meaning he will serve both sentences at the same time.
Josh was arrested and charged with possessing and receiving child pornography in April 2021.
The highly-publicized jury trial lasted two weeks before the jury submitted a guilty verdict on both counts.
At trial, prosecutors presented damning evidence from Josh’s HP computer.
It was revealed that one file name found on his HP desktop computer was of a video of a “3-month-old being sexually abused.”
One folder contained 65 thumbnail files of an underage girl.
The jury was shown the images and videos prosecutors claim were found on his computer.
Prosecutor William Clayman provided alleged texts and photos were taken on Josh’s phone at the car lot to show he was there at the same time child pornography content was downloaded at Wholesale Motorcars.
When the verdict was read, Josh was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody at Washington County Jail, where he was placed in solitary confinement away from other prisoners for his safety until his sentencing.
Josh’s legal team filed a motion for an acquittal of the guilty verdict, a new trial, or the dismissal of the possession of child pornography charge.
Prosecutors responded by claiming “the evidence of the defendant’s guilt is clear and overwhelming.”
Josh’s attorneys responded by calling the trial and guilty verdict “unconstitutional.”
A judge has not ruled on the appeal.
The Presentence Investigation Report, which helps determine the appropriate sentence, was completed in February.
Josh’s legal team filed a response/objection to the findings, though all documents are sealed.
The sentencing is set to take place in early April.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
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