Josh Duggar is actively seeking to appeal his brother Joseph’s 12-year sentence for child pornography and alleged sexual misconduct with a minor.
Following several failed attempts at an appeal, Josh, who is slated for release from FCI Seago Building in Dallas, Texas, on December 23, 2032, filed a request in May 2025 for new legal representation.
In court documents, Josh stated that he didn’t have the resources or legal knowledge to hire an attorney. While a federal judge initially denied his request, he eventually managed to engage a Chicago lawyer, as noted in documents obtained by Page Six.
Page Six has reported that Josh, now 38, has a hearing planned for April 15 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The father of seven has consistently maintained his innocence since his arrest in April 2021 on charges related to child pornography. He was found guilty after a two-week trial, which included family attendance from his father Jim Bob Duggar to his wife Anna Duggar, and received a sentence of 12 years and seven months.
In October 2022, Josh filed an appeal, but the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals turned down his request for a new trial.
During a prior hearing, his attorney alleged that federal agents confiscated Josh’s cell phone while trying to contact his lawyer during a raid a year and a half before his arrest. He also indicated that Josh spoke with investigators without legal counsel present.
The court dismissed the appeal, clarifying that when Josh acknowledged his rights, he revised the form to indicate he was “free to leave.” The court documented that during the interrogation, he was not handcuffed and had access to exit the vehicle freely.
The appeal was officially dismissed by the Supreme Court in June 2024.
On March 18, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office announced Joseph’s recent arrest, marking yet another incident of disgrace for the Duggar family.
Joseph faces charges for inappropriate conduct with minors. Reports indicate that after a forensic interview, a 14-year-old victim disclosed several incidents involving Joseph that occurred during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was just 9 years old.
According to the investigation, incidents included Joseph asking the girl to sit on his lap and inappropriately touching her. The victim mentioned that he later apologized, resulting in the incidents stopping.
The investigation report revealed that Joseph admitted his actions when confronted by the victim’s father and law enforcement.
Joseph has been detained at the Washington County Jail in Arkansas and is set to be extradited to Bay County, Florida.
He is married to Kendra Caldwell, with whom he shares three young children. The couple has kept a low profile, having not posted on social media since 2021.
Joseph previously appeared on TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” and “Counting On.”
