Josh Duggar pleads not guilty in court and remains in jail without bail after arrest

JOSH Duggar pleaded not guilty in court and will remain in jail without bail following his arrest on Thursday, as he's banned from being near minor when he's released.

The Sun can exclusively confirm Josh, 33, appeared in district court on Friday for his arraignment.

  • Read our Josh Duggar live blog for the latest updates

Josh appeared to be in good spirits during the video arraignment, as he was seen smiling in his jail attire while waiting for his case to be heard.

He obtained a lawyer for the hearing, who requested the judge not read the charges at this time.

Josh pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The detention hearing is on May 5 at 1:30pm to determine if he could be released on bail, as the government requested he remain behind bars.

"The court would likely require a third party custodian," the judge said.

The Sun previously broke Josh was arrested for the federal charges in Washington County at 1:15 pm on Thursday afternoon.

An insider claimed Josh "turned himself in" without incident.

The head-turning revelation is related to the 2019 Homeland Security raid on Josh's now-shuttered used car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas, another source told The Sun.


In November 2019, Homeland Security conducted an “ongoing federal investigation” at the lot, but no charges were filed against Josh – until now.

A source exclusively told The Sun of patriarch Jim Bob, 55, his wife Michelle, 54, and their 19 children: "The family has known that this has been coming for weeks, and Josh has been preparing himself.

"They are praying together for Josh and Anna, who is standing by her husband as she always has.

"Family members are extremely concerned by what is happening and they just want to find out the truth.


"They know that this will put them in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, and are stunned they are having to go through this again."

The insider added: "The family will be speaking out shortly and hope this in many ways will bring them closer together and even closer to God."

Josh's wife, Anna, 32, announced she is pregnant with the couple's seventh child just last week with a gender reveal video.

The arrest comes six years after In Touch Weekly uncovered a 33-page Arkansas police report claiming Jim Bob confessed to local authorities that his eldest son fondled the breasts and genitals of young girls while they were asleep in the Duggar family home back in 2002.


Following the allegations against him, Josh addressed the claim: "Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret.

"I hurt others, including my family and close friends."

Josh was never charged with any crime related to the incidents.

His younger sisters Jill, 29, and Jessa, 28, came forward as two of the victims in an interview with Megyn Kelly, where they they insisted they had forgiven Josh for his sins.


More eye-opening allegations followed for Josh, as another report just three months later claimed the former TLC star was using adultery dating service Ashley Madison.

He said: "I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the Internet and this has become a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife."

Soon after, porn star Danica Dillon, whose real name is Ashley Johnston, claimed he assaulted her during a sexual encounter.

In a 2020 interview with The Sun, Ashley, 33, described the alleged incident as being so intense "it felt like this guy tried to kill me."

Ashley, now a married mom of four, said Josh "knows what he's done and has to live with his demons."

Josh has always denied the alleged assault.

Despite the scandals, Anna has stood by her husband's side.

While not on Counting On anymore, Josh has found it hard to keep a stable job, as he currently lives with Anna and their six children in a run-down warehouse on his parents' Arkansas property, The Sun exclusively reported.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).


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