Joseph Duggar Arrested for Alleged Lewd Acts

Joseph Duggar, known from TLC’s show 19 Kids and Counting, has been arrested and faces serious charges related to “lewd and lascivious acts,” specifically involving a minor.

The Bay County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Wednesday that Duggar, 31, has been charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

According to the sheriff’s office, a 14-year-old victim recounted a series of incidents that reportedly took place during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was just 9 years old.

The investigation revealed that in 2020, Duggar allegedly made repeated requests for the girl to sit on his lap and then asked her to cuddle next to him under a blanket.

While they were under the blanket, Duggar is accused of touching the victim’s underwear and inappropriately grazing her genitals, as well as rubbing her thighs.

After these incidents, Duggar purportedly apologized to the victim, who later told authorities that the unwanted behavior ceased following his apology.

However, the situation escalated. Duggar reportedly confessed to the girl’s father and a detective about his actions during a meeting on Tuesday.

Law enforcement officials stated that he was arrested out of state and is facing charges for sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 12, as well as other lewd acts by an individual over 18.

This isn’t the first time the Duggar family has been in the spotlight for troubling reasons. Joseph’s brother, Josh Duggar, was arrested five years ago on similar child sex crime charges.

In 2021, Josh was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography after a federal jury found him guilty of those charges in Arkansas.

Joseph Duggar has also made appearances on 19 Kids and Counting. Currently, he is awaiting extradition to Bay County.