Josh Duggar Will Remain in Prison Until 2032 After Appeal in Child Pornography Case Is Rejected
The former '19 Kids and Counting' star reported to Seagoville FCI in Texas in May 2022 after being sentenced to more than 12 years for possessing child sexual abuse materials
An official decision regarding Josh Duggar's appeal has been made.
According to Oct. 5 court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has chosen to affirm the 19 Kids and Counting alum's previous judgment in his child pornography case. He will continue to serve out his sentence of more than 12.5 years, remaining in prison through Oct. 2, 2032.
PEOPLE has reached out to Duggar's attorney for comment.
Duggar, 35, was arrested in April 2021 by Homeland Security. At the time, he was being held without bond in an Arkansas jail.
Eight months later, the former reality star was found guilty in December 2021 of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material. He was sentenced in May 2022 and has been serving out his sentence at FCI Seagoville in Seagoville, Texas, with an anticipated release date in August 2032.
Duggar's attorney filed an appeal in October 2022, requesting that the court overturn his conviction. But earlier this year, his prison stint was extended by nearly two months to October 2032.
Duggar has been married to Anna Duggar since 2008. The pair share seven kids, with their youngest child arriving several days before his November 2021 trial.
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Though many members of Duggar's family have stood beside him amid the controversy, some relatives who have spoken out against him. Sister Jill Duggar Dillard — who was one of his multiple alleged molestation victims alongside sister Jessa Duggar Seewald — recently acknowledged she still harbors anger toward him.
She told PEOPLE last month: "People are quick to say, 'Oh, anger is bad,' but I'm like, 'No, anger can be a good thing.' Especially when it propels you to advocate for people finding their voice."
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.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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