Politics
Josh Duggar’s sister Jinger and her husband Jeremy step out in LA just days before disgraced brother’s child porn arrest
JOSH Duggar’s sister Jinger and her husband Jeremy went shopping in LA just days before her disgraced brother’s child porn arrest.
Following Josh’s Thursday arrest, Jinger, 27, and Jeremy, 33, released a statement slamming the disgraced reality star and said they “condemn child abuse.”
- Read our Josh Duggar live blog for the latest updates
The happy family were spotted out and about in Hollywood with pal, entrepreneur and celebrity chef, Jeremy Fall, who hosts the Facebook watch TV series Beats For Breakfast.
Jinger and Jeremy appeared in good spirits as they made their way around the shops with their two children, Felicity, 2, and Evangeline Jo, 5 months.
Dressed in black jeans, a denim jacket and white top, Jinger was in charge of the pushchair as husband Jeremy and pal Jeremy walked alongside.
Just days after their outing, Jinger’s older brother was charged with possession of child pornography.
Following Josh’s arraignment, the couple shared joint statements on their social media pages minutes after his alleged crimes were exposed.
“We are disturbed to hear the charges against Josh,” the statement read.
“While this case must go through the legal system, we want to make it clear that we absolutely condemn any form of child abuse and fully support the authorities and judicial process in their pursuit of justice.”
Jeremy faces 20 years in prison if he is found guilty[/caption]
Jinger and Jeremy’s statement[/caption]
A source told The Sun exclusively that the couple will attempt to “distance themselves” from their brother.
“Jinger and Jeremy have told friends they are disgusted by the charges against Josh.
“They don’t want anything to do with him while this is ongoing and are distancing themselves from it all.
“They’ve been shaken by what is happening, especially Jinger.
“They are in constant touch with family, but their children are their primary focus, and it’s devastating for everyone involved.”
Parents Jim Bob and Michelle also shared a statement on the family website, but they showed support for their son.
“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time,” the statement read.
“The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. 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.”
These statements come just moments after Josh was charged with two counts of child pornography.
According to the indictment, Josh “knowingly received child pornography” between or about May 14, 2019 and on or about May 16, 2019.
For the second count, Josh “knowingly possessed material that contained images of child pornography,” including “images of minors under the age of 12.”
Josh has been ordered to forfeit all visual images and property, including video equipment, related to the case.
According to a press release from the Department of Justice, Josh “allegedly used the internet to download child sexual abuse material. Duggar allegedly possessed this material, some of which depicts the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12, in May 2019.”
If convicted, he could receive 20 years in prison with fines up to $250,000 on each count.
Josh appeared from jail via zoom for his arraignment on Friday afternoon, as he obtained a lawyer and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A detention hearing has been set for May 5 at 1:30pm to determine if he could be released on bail, as the government requested he remain behind bars.
If released, the judge said Josh must reside with a third party.
She said at the hearing: “The court would likely require a third party custodian that he could reside with that would ensure compliance with the conditions of bond.
“It would need to be a residence where there are no minors in the home. You would need to look for somebody who could ensure to the court that there are no minors in the home or would be visiting unsupervised.”
The Sun previously broke Josh was arrested for the federal charges in Washington County at 1:15 pm on Thursday afternoon.
An insider claimed Josh “turned himself in” without incident.
The head-turning revelation is related to the 2019 Homeland Security raid on Josh’s now-shuttered used car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas, another source told The Sun.
In November 2019, Homeland Security conducted an “ongoing federal investigation” at the lot, but no charges were filed against Josh – until now.
A source exclusively told The Sun of patriarch Jim Bob, 55, his wife Michelle, 54, and their 19 children: “The family has known that this has been coming for weeks, and Josh has been preparing himself.
“They are praying together for Josh and Anna, who is standing by her husband as she always has.
“Family members are extremely concerned by what is happening and they just want to find out the truth.
“They know that this will put them in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and are stunned they are having to go through this again.”
The insider added: “The family will be speaking out shortly and hope this in many ways will bring them closer together and even closer to God.”
Josh’s wife, Anna, 32, announced she is pregnant with the couple’s seventh child just last week with a gender reveal video.
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The arrest comes six years after In Touch Weekly uncovered a 33-page Arkansas police report claiming Jim Bob confessed to local authorities that his eldest son fondled the breasts and genitals of young girls while they were asleep in the Duggar family home back in 2002.
Following the allegations against him, Josh addressed the claim: “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret.
“I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
Josh was never charged with any crime related to the incidents.
