Jill and Derick Dillard say Josh Duggar's sentence is God's 'vengeance' after child porn conviction

Jill and Derick Dillard have spoken out after her brother Josh Duggar was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison in connection with his conviction for receiving child pornography.

Derick, 33, and Jill, 31, issued a statement on their blog Thursday in which they cited the Bible in reaction to Duggar’s prison sentence.

‘The Bible clearly states that God effects justice and vengeance through the governing authorities,’ the couple said. ‘Though some believe Josh should have received a greater sentence and still fewer believe he should have received a lighter sentence, God has carried out his vengeance today for his unspeakable criminal activity.’

The latest: Jill Dillard, 31, and Derick Dillard, 33, have spoken out after her brother Josh Duggar, 34, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison in connection with his conviction for receiving child pornography. The pair was snapped in December in Arkansas

The latest: Jill Dillard, 31, and Derick Dillard, 33, have spoken out after her brother Josh Duggar, 34, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in federal prison in connection with his conviction for receiving child pornography. The pair was snapped in December in Arkansas 

Duggar, 34, was found guilty in the Western District of Arkansas Federal Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas in connection with possessing and receiving child pornography last December; U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks dismissed the possession conviction citing federal law that folded the offense into the receiving offense.

Jill and Derick Dillard said Thursday that ‘until now, [Josh] has yet to be held accountable to the extent necessary to cause change in his dangerous pattern of behavior,’ and that ‘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.’

‘Hopefully, Josh can actually begin to get treatment and begin to work toward a lifestyle where he is less likely to reoffend. If for nothing else, the notoriety of this case has hopefully contributed to the deterrence of potential offenders and will help protect children by decreasing the demand for’ child pornography.

The couple said that the ‘last several weeks and months have been difficult emotionally,’ and Wednesday’s hearing marked ‘another one of those hard days.’

Duggar was found guilty in the Western District of Arkansas Federal Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas in connection with possessing and receiving child pornography last December

Duggar was found guilty in the Western District of Arkansas Federal Court in Fayetteville, Arkansas in connection with possessing and receiving child pornography last December 

Jill and Derick said of Josh's sentence that 'God has carried out his vengeance today for his unspeakable criminal activity'

Jill and Derick said of Josh’s sentence that ‘God has carried out his vengeance today for his unspeakable criminal activity’

‘We are neither rejoicing nor disappointed by the sentence, but we are thankful it’s finally over,’ they said.

The couple ended their statement in saying that they ‘continue to love Josh and his family and will be there for them however we can.’

Prosecutors in the case had requested Duggar serve the maximum 20-year sentence, citing his ‘deep-seated, pervasive and violent sexual interest in children,’ the AP reported.

U.S. Attorney David Clay Fowlkes said Wednesday, ‘While this is not the sentence we asked for, this is a lengthy sentence,’ according to the AP.

Duggar was initially arrested in April of 2021 after investigators in Little Rock, Arkansas traced child pornography files to a car dealership Duggar had worked at. Authorities in the case said that pictures on Duggar’s computer, downloaded in 2019, included graphic images of sexual abuse of children and toddlers.

Duggar past made headlines in 2015 when the family’s TLC show 19 Kids and Counting was canceled amid accusations he had molested four sisters and a babysitter years before. Duggar was probed over the allegations in 2006 based on a tip from a family friend but he was not charged based on the statute of limitations expiring.

‘Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,’ Josh told People in May of 2015. ‘I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. 

‘We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life.’

Josh was seen leaving a courthouse during his trial late last year

Josh was seen leaving a courthouse during his trial late last year 

Josh’s parents Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar said that he had admitted to fondling and said he was sorry.

In 2015, Josh resigned from his position with the Family Research Council after the past allegations had gone public. Later that year, he had publicly said sorry for being unfaithful to wife Anna Duggar and said he was seeking help for an addiction to pornography.

Prosecutors in the recent case said that Duggar’s past conduct illustrated ‘an alarming window into the extent of his sexual interest in children,’ and that ‘when viewed alongside the conduct for which he has been convicted, makes clear that Duggar has a deep-seated, pervasive, and violent sexual interest in children, and a willingness to act on that interest.’

Prosecutors cited expert testimony that Duggar’s computer had been altered for porn-related searches to be undetectable to software his wife had installed to oversee his online activity.

‘There is simply no indication that Duggar will ever take the steps necessary to change this pattern of behavior and address his predilection for minor females,’ prosecutors said.

Ahead of sentencing, Josh’s wife Anna Duggar called him a ‘loving, supportive and caring father’ in her letter to the judge, while his mother Michelle said the court should show leniency due to his ‘tender heart’ and ‘compassionate toward others.’

Duggar’s cousin Amy (Duggar) King told People Wednesday that she was ‘furious at the family that looked the other way and still today, refuse to hold him accountable,’ adding that the maximum 20-year sentence ‘could never come close to justice for the children harmed.’

She added: ‘I don’t think anyone would make the mistake of assuming I support my cousin … my heart hurts for his children during this time.’

source: dailymail.co.uk