Duggar was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after being found guilty of knowingly receiving and possessing ch-ld s-xual abuse materials.
Josh Duggar has made headlines countless times over the years for his controversies and atrocities, from his Ashley Madison cheating scandal to serving time in prison on ch-ld p-rnography charges.
Four years after his arrest for the latter, here’s what to know about the disgraced former reality personality’s life behind bars:
Why was Josh Duggar arrested?
Duggar was arrested on April 29, 2021, on two charges of receiving and possessing ch-ld s-xual abuse materials following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Fayetteville beginning in November 2019.
Duggar pleaded not guilty to the charges. His trial lasted a little more than a week before a grand jury found him guilty on both counts of knowingly receiving and possessing ch-ld p-rnography in December 2021. He was sentenced to 151 months in federal prison — a little more than 12.5 years — in May 2022 on just one count of receiving ch-ld p-rnography. In addition to his sentence, he was ordered to pay $50,000 in fines, register as a s-x offender and serve 20 years of supervised release.
According to an official press release, Duggar “repeatedly downloaded and viewed images and videos depicting the s-xual ab-se of children, including images of prepubescent children and depictions of sadistic abuse.” The press release also detailed the former TLC personality’s actions to hide the materials, including installing a “password-protected partition on the hard drive of his desktop computer at his used car lot in Springdale to avoid p-rnography-detecting software on the device.”
The release continued: “He then accessed the partition to download ch-ld s-xual abuse material from the internet multiple times over the course of three days in May 2019. The password for the partition was the same one he used for other personal and family accounts. Duggar downloaded the material using the dark web and online file-sharing software, viewed it, and then removed it from his computer.”
Though his legal team filed an appeal, it was rejected in 2024.
Which prison is Josh Duggar in?
The disgraced 19 Kids and Counting star is serving his sentence at FCI Seagoville, which is located about 20 miles southeast of Dallas, Texas.
When does Josh Duggar get released from prison?
Duggar is set to be released from prison in October 2032.
Does Josh Duggar have a cellmate?
It is unclear if Duggar has a cellmate, but according to a September 2024 report, he moved into a remodeled dorm and reportedly received special privileges. Those claims, however, are unsubstantiated.
What does Josh Duggar eat in prison?
Though it is unclear what Duggar eats in prison on a day-to-day basis, various reports through the years have detailed his holiday meals.
According to the New York Post, who obtained a copy of FCI Seagoville’s 2024 Thanksgiving menu, Duggar had the choice of “roasted turkey and glazed ham or veggie lasagna and dirty rice with soy and kidney beans,” as well as “cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, two rolls and assorted pies.”
The Sun reported that for Christmas that year, inmates were offered “hot oatmeal, a breakfast cake or whole wheat bread with two packets of jelly, whole fresh fruit, margarine, skim milk and coffee with sugar packets” for breakfast, while lunch offered entrees like “baked cornish hen or herbed cornish hen,” along with vegetarian options. Sides included “mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, corn casserole, and rice with broccoli and cheese” and dinner rolls, while dessert consisted of “assorted holiday pie or fruit.”
Are Josh Duggar and Anna still married?
Anna Duggar and Josh Duggar pose during the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel and Convention Center on February 28, 2015, in National Harbor, Maryland.
As of April 2025, Josh and his wife Anna Duggar are still married. The two wed in 2008 and share seven kids: Mackynzie, Michael, Marcus, Meredith, Mason, Maryella and Madyson.
What has Josh Duggar’s family said about him?
Many of the TLC alum’s family members have been outspoken about his arrest and prison sentencing.
Jill and Derick Dillard
Jill Dillard and her husband, Derick Dillard, issued a strongly worded statement on their family blog (which has since been deleted) after Josh’s sentencing, saying that “God has carried out his vengeance today for his unspeakable criminal activity.”
They added in part: “Until now, he has yet to be held accountable to the extent necessary to cause change in his dangerous pattern of behavior. It is unfortunate, but it seems that it may take spending over a decade in federal prison, and still more on probation, for Josh to have any potential for rehabilitation to the point he can safely live in society again.”
(Josh previously admitted to molesting multiple young girls, including sisters Jill and Jessa Seewald, when he was between 12 and 15 years old. 19 Kids and Counting was canceled in 2015 upon the release of a 2006 police report that revealed that Josh was part of an investigation in connection with the molestation allegations.)
Jessa and Ben Seewald
Jessa and her husband, Ben Seewald, spoke out after Josh’s arrest with matching statements via their Instagram Stories in 2021.
“We are saddened to hear of the charges against Josh,” their joint statement began. “As Christians, we stand against any form of p-rnography or abuse and we desire for the truth to be exposed, whatever that may be. Our prayers are with their family as they walk through this difficult time.”
Jinger Vuolo
While promoting her memoir Becoming Free Indeedon Tamron Hall in January 2023, Josh’s sister Jinger Vuolo said she “hasn’t spoken to Josh in years” but “would pray that he would be truly broken over what he has done,” adding, “So I just pray for the victims and their families.”
Amy Duggar King
Amy King, a cousin of the Duggar family, said in a statement via Fox 4 after Josh’s sentencing: “Josh’s sickness stems from somewhere, and eventually we will hear about the trauma. I don’t know when, or how, or who but eventually I think more will come out. But hopefully tonight, I can sleep for the first time ever and rest assured that another monster will be put behind bars makes my heart feel a little lighter.”
She added in an interview with People in April 2024: “I want him to stay as long as he can because he can’t hurt children. He can’t view that disgustingness and his kids hopefully are safe as well … I have not spoken to him, and I will not. I will not. When you just cross those evil lines like that, there is no coming back. I just think there’s no coming back.”
Jason Duggar
“In my opinion, judge Timothy L. Brooks was fair in his ruling giving Josh a sentence that would be considered below the median for the crimes he has committed,” his brother Jason Duggar said in a statement via Instagram in 2022. “My heart is grieved over the choices my brother has made, his actions do not reflect that of a Christian believer and have doubtlessly defamed my Lord and Savior’s name!! Joshua’s poor decisions have greatly effected [sic] those around him, in particular his wife, seven children and our family as a whole.”
He added: “With that said, I will never stop loving my brother, regardless of what he does, just as my savior has forgiven me so I have forgiven my brother of his wrongdoings! My prayer is that God will use this circumstance to truly humble him and bring about a true change in his life!”
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar
“This entire ordeal has been very grievous. Today, God’s grace, through the love and prayers of so many, have sustained us. Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through CSAM [Ch-ld S-xual Abuse Material],” parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar said in a statement posted to their family website at the time after Josh was found guilty in December 2021.
They continued: “In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law Anna and their children with love and support. As parents, we will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children. In each of life’s circumstances, we place our trust in God. He is our source of strength and refuge. Thank you for your prayers.”
