Josh Duggar’s defense attorneys said after his arrest this week on child pornography charges that theyintend to fight the accusationsin court.
“He has pled not guilty to both charges and we intend to defend this case aggressively and thoroughly,” the attorneys, Justin Gelfand, Travis W. Story and Greg Payne, said in a statement.
“In this country, no one can stop prosecutors from charging a crime. But when you’re accused, you can fight back in the courtroom — and that is exactly what Josh intends to do,” his legal team said.
Josh appeared for his initial hearing, via Zoom, on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.
His attorney declined to have the judge read the charges against him, though federal prosecutors said he faces one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
He pleaded not guilty and remains in custody pending a bail hearing on Wednesday.
Josh Duggar in 2015.Kris Connor/Getty Images
If released, he would not be allowed to live with minors, the judge said.
Federal prosecutors said in a news release that Josh “allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material … [he] allegedly possessed this material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019.”
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on Josh Duggar.
In astatement to PEOPLE, TLC, which aired19 Kids and Countingand first brought the Duggar family to national prominence, said:
“TLC is saddened to learn about the continued troubles involving Josh Duggar. 19 Kids and Counting has not aired since 2015. TLC cancelled the show on the heels of prior allegations against Josh Duggar and he has not appeared on-air since then.”
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
