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Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar issue powerful Christian response to son Josh Duggar's child pornography guilty verdict
Photo by Washington County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar issue powerful Christian response to son Josh Duggar's child pornography guilty verdict

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have issued a powerful statement in response to the news that their 33-year-old son Josh was found guilty on one count each of receiving and possession of child sexual abuse materials.

Duggar initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his legal team says that they plan to appeal the conviction.

What are the details?

In a statement posted to the Duggar family website, Jim Bob and Michelle wrote, "This entire ordeal has been very grievous. Today, God’s grace, through the love and prayers of so many, has sustained us. Our hearts and prayers are with anyone who has ever been harmed through CSAM [child sex abuse materials]."

"In the days ahead, we will do all we can to surround our daughter-in-law Anna [Duggar] and their children with love and support," the statement continued. "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."

Federal authorities arrested Duggar in April after he was accused of accessing and downloading egregious files depicting child sexual abuse.

Duggar is expected to be sentenced in four months. He faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines for each count.

In a statement on the conviction, Duggar's legal team said, "We appreciate the jury's lengthy deliberations, we respect the jury's verdict, and we intend to appeal."

Following the conviction, U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes of the western district of Arkansas issued the following statement: "Regardless of wealth, social status, or fame, our office will continue to seek out all individuals who seek to abuse children and victimize them through the downloading, possession, and sharing of child pornography."

Members of the Duggar family spoke out in response to the conviction on Thursday.

Cousin Amy Duggar King said, "May the juror’s and Judge Brooks seek healing/counseling from all that was exposed to them. May the children grow up with real Godly men as father figures who will guide and protect them. May the people who were once in disbelief have their eyes opened for the first time. May the daughters who were abused feel validated. You are truly beautiful and worthy of love. May there be intense counseling/healing. May there be wisdom for all those involved on how to move forward. Thank you Jesus. Justice has been served."

Derick Dillard, one of Duggar's brothers-in-law, added that he and his wife — Jill Duggar Dillard — attended portions of the trial so they could "among other things, see the facts for ourselves," and added that "America is the best country to get justice."

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