Josh Duggar is speaking out from behind bars after his brother Joseph Duggar was arrested for unlawful sexual activity with a minor. Joseph Duggar had spoken against Josh when he was accused of assaulting five girls, four of whom were his sisters, when he was an adolescent.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said that the alleged victim, who is now 14, was on vacation with her family in Panama City Beach, Florida, when Joseph allegedly requested her to sit on his lap and “grazed her genitals” while they were under a blanket. Joseph said he was sorry for what he did, and nothing else happened at that time.
The Father of the Alleged Victim Confronted Duggar
Earlier this month, the victim’s father confronted the former reality star, bringing the claims to the attention of authorities. Joseph told both his father and the police from the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas that he had done what he did again. He was charged with lewd and lascivious activity that included molesting a child under 12 years old and lewd and lascivious behavior by someone 18 years old or older.
Josh Duggar Speaks Out
Josh’s lawyer told the Daily Mail on Friday, March 20, that he was “deeply saddened” to learn Joseph, 31, was charged. Josh, 38, went on to slam the “false accusations” against his brother following the “stigma.”
“He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life,” the statement on Josh’s behalf continued. “He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.”
Josh, on the other hand, pleaded not guilty to accusations of receiving and possessing child pornography after being detained in 2021. He was given a 151-month prison sentence, which he is still serving. Josh has tried to change his sentence many times, but all have been denied. Jim Bob recently hired the famous singer R. Kelly’s attorney to defend his son and get his sentence shortened.
Joseph said on a 2015 episode of Counting On that Josh “was living such a secret” life. He said, “Whenever someone you respect the most is willing to get up and say what we believe as Christians about being true to your wife, you’d never think that that person is involved.” “It broke my heart.” referring to the Ashley Madison scandal. Josh was seeing call girls at a well-known, high-priced agency.
Jill and Derick Dillard have spoken out, condemning Joseph’s actions.
What do you think about Josh Duggar’s defense of his brother Joseph? Leave your thoughts in the Daily News Corner comments below.
Of course he’s gonna defend his pedo brother – imo Josh should be in for 25 yrs and Joe for life ! So sick of these religious people getting away with this heinous behavior.