Joshua James Duggar is an American convicted sex offender and former reality television personality, known for being the eldest child in the Duggar family featured on the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting. He served as the executive director of FRC Action, a political action committee, from June 2013 to May 2015. His tenure ended following reports that he had molested multiple underage girls, including four of his siblings, between the ages of 12 and 16.
March 3, 1988: Birth of Joshua James Duggar
Joshua James Duggar was born on March 3, 1988. He would later become a known reality television personality and convicted sex offender.
March 2002: Discovery of Sexual Misconduct
In March 2002, Josh Duggar's parents discovered his sexually abusive behavior. He was disciplined at home following an admission in July 2002 that he had molested one of his sisters.
July 2002: Admission of Molestation
In July 2002, Josh Duggar admitted to his parents that he had molested one of his sisters. The confession was not reported to the police.
2002: Sexual Misconduct Between 2002 and 2003
Between 2002 and 2003, Josh Duggar molested five underage girls. The incidents were reported by his father, Jim Bob, to the police after Josh returned home in late 2003.
March 2003: Additional Incidents Discovered
In March 2003, Josh Duggar's parents learned of additional incidents and victims. Jim Bob Duggar brought the issue to their church elders, and Josh was sent away from home for three months.
July 2003: Contact with State Trooper
In July 2003, Josh Duggar's father took him to meet Arkansas State Trooper Joseph Truman Hutchens, who learned of the abuse but did not take official action. This contact initiated the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse charges.
July 2003: Meeting with State Trooper
In July 2003, after returning home from a three-month stay away, Josh Duggar was taken by his father to meet Joseph Truman Hutchens, an Arkansas State Trooper. This meeting was the first time any law enforcement authority was made aware of the abuse, but no official action was taken.
2003: End of Reported Incidents
By late 2003, no more incidents of molestation by Josh Duggar were reported, and family members stated they felt safe and had forgiven him for his past behavior.
2004: First Television Specials Featuring Duggar Family
In 2004, the first of several television specials featuring the Duggar family was released, which eventually led to the creation of the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting.
2005: First Reality TV Appearance
Starting in 2005, Josh Duggar appeared on several reality television shows about his family, beginning with a program on Discovery Health when he was 17 years old.
December 2006: Expiration of Statute of Limitations
By December 2006, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse charges against Josh Duggar had expired due to the July 2003 contact with the state trooper.
December 2006: Canceled Appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show
In December 2006, when Josh Duggar was 18, the family's scheduled appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show was canceled after an anonymous source revealed Duggar's past sexual misconduct toward minors. The show's producers alerted the Department of Human Services.
2007: Political Consulting
In 2007, Josh Duggar worked as a part-time political consultant under the business name Strategic Political Services while running a car dealership.
September 2008: Debut of 19 Kids and Counting
In September 2008, the TLC series 19 Kids and Counting, featuring Josh Duggar and his family, debuted on television.
September 26, 2008: Duggar Marries Anna Renée Keller
Josh Duggar and Anna Renée Keller married on September 26, 2008, at the Buford Grove Baptist Church in Hilliard, Florida.
2008: Campaign Work for Mike Huckabee
In 2008, Josh Duggar worked on the Republican presidential primary campaign of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.
January 25, 2009: Duggar Wedding Episode
Josh Duggar's wedding was featured in an episode of 19 Kids and Counting broadcast on January 25, 2009. The episode covered the planning, preparation, rehearsal, ceremony, and reception. Josh and his wife saved their first kiss for their wedding day.
December 7, 2010: First Birthday of Daughter Mackynzie
On December 7, 2010, an episode titled 'GrandDuggar's First Birthday' aired, where Josh Duggar celebrated his daughter Mackynzie's first birthday and announced the expected birth of their second child.
2010: Duggar Seeks Help with Computer Partitioning
Jim Holt testified that, in 2010, Josh Duggar sought his assistance in creating a Linux partition on a computer, a detail relevant to the prosecution's case regarding Duggar's alleged access to child pornography.
June 19, 2011: Birth of Second Child
An episode titled 'First Grandson' aired on June 19, 2011, featuring Josh Duggar and his wife introducing their second child, Michael James.
2012: Conviction of Joseph Truman Hutchens
In 2012, Joseph Truman Hutchens, the Arkansas State Trooper who had learned of Josh Duggar's misconduct in 2003, was convicted of unrelated charges relating to child pornography and was sentenced to 56 years in prison.
2012: Campaign Rallies for Rick Santorum
In 2012, Josh Duggar addressed rallies for the Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania.
February 2013: Duggar Creates Ashley Madison Account
Duggar created an account on the Ashley Madison platform in February 2013, marking the beginning of activities that would later lead to public controversy.
June 2013: Executive Director of FRC Action
In June 2013, Josh Duggar began serving as the executive director of FRC Action, a lobbying political action committee sponsored by the Family Research Council.
June 2013: Executive Director of FRC Action
In June 2013, Josh Duggar began serving as the executive director of FRC Action, a political action and lobbying organization sponsored by the Family Research Council.
June 16, 2013: Introduction of Third Child Marcus Anthony
On June 16, 2013, a Father's Day special titled 'GrandDuggar Makes 3!' aired, featuring Josh Duggar and his family introducing their third baby, Marcus Anthony.
October 22, 2013: Five Years of Marriage Special
A special titled 'Josh & Anna: Our Story' aired on October 22, 2013, reviewing Josh Duggar and his wife's first five years of marriage.
2014: Campaigning for Senate Candidates
In 2014, while working at FRC Action, Josh Duggar campaigned for Senate candidates in Kansas, Mississippi, and Virginia before the midterm elections. Conservative Republican candidates valued his ability to advance their messages to his constituents.
May 12, 2015: Announcement of Fourth Child
On May 12, 2015, an episode titled 'Anna's Having A...' aired, where Josh Duggar and his wife announced the expected birth of their fourth child and revealed they were having another girl.
May 2015: Resignation from FRC Action
In May 2015, Josh Duggar resigned from his position as executive director of FRC Action after reports surfaced that he had molested multiple underage girls, including four of his siblings, during his teenage years.
May 2015: Duggar Cancels Ashley Madison Subscription
Duggar cancelled his subscription to Ashley Madison in May 2015, shortly after facing public scrutiny for past sexual misconduct allegations.
May 2015: Resignation from FRC Action
In May 2015, Josh Duggar resigned from his position as executive director of FRC Action after reports surfaced that he had molested multiple underage girls, including four of his siblings, during his teenage years.
May 21, 2015: Josh Duggar Resigns from FRC Action amidst Sexual Misconduct Allegations
On May 21, 2015, In Touch Weekly published a police report detailing Josh Duggar's sexual misconduct allegations from 2002-2003. Following the report, Duggar resigned from his position at FRC Action and issued an apology.
June 5, 2015: Jessa and Jill Duggar Speak Out About Abuse
On June 5, 2015, Jessa and Jill Duggar, sisters of Josh Duggar, gave an interview addressing the sexual abuse allegations against their brother. They condemned his actions while also criticizing the public response and media scrutiny.
July 16, 2015: Cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting
On July 16, 2015, TLC canceled 19 Kids and Counting following revelations of Josh Duggar's past sexual misconduct. USA Today named the fallout one of the '10 Big Scandals of 2015,' and The Washington Post listed Duggar as one of the fifteen most hated people on the Internet for that year.
August 20, 2015: Duggar Admits to Infidelity and Pornography Use
Following the Ashley Madison data breach on August 20, 2015 that revealed his account, Josh Duggar publicly admitted to infidelity and pornography use.
August 25, 2015: Duggar Enters Rehabilitation Facility
On August 25, 2015, Duggar checked himself into Reformers Unanimous, a "long-term treatment center." His family described it as a place for him to address personal issues.
November 2015: Pornographic Actress Files Lawsuit Against Duggar
In November 2015, adult film star Danica Dillon filed a lawsuit against Josh Duggar, alleging assault and emotional distress stemming from an encounter at a Philadelphia strip club.
2015: Michelle Duggar's Statements Contradicted in Court
Testimony from Jim and Bobye Holt in Josh Duggar's trial contradicted Michelle Duggar's earlier statements to Fox News in 2015, revealing discrepancies in the family's narrative about the abuse allegations.
February 2016: Dillon Drops Lawsuit Against Duggar
Danica Dillon dropped her lawsuit against Josh Duggar in February 2016 after evidence contradicted her claims about his presence in Philadelphia during the alleged assault.
May 2019: Duggar Allegedly Receives Child Pornography
Prosecutors allege that Josh Duggar received images of child pornography in May 2019, leading to his arrest and federal charges.
November 2019: Federal Agents Search Duggar's Business
In November 2019, Homeland Security agents searched Josh Duggar's used car dealership as part of a federal investigation into child sexual abuse material.
April 29, 2021: Arrest on Child Pornography Charges
On April 29, 2021, Josh Duggar was arrested by U.S. Marshals on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography.
April 30, 2021: Duggar Pleads Not Guilty to Child Pornography Charges
On April 30, 2021, Josh Duggar pleaded not guilty to federal charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. The charges stemmed from an investigation that began in 2019.
September 2021: Jana Duggar's Child Endangerment Charge
News of Jana Duggar's child endangerment charge from September 2021 became public after her brother Josh's conviction, drawing further attention to the family's legal troubles.
October 2021: Duggar's Seventh Child is Born
Anna Duggar gave birth to her and Josh Duggar's seventh child in October 2021, while he was out on bail and awaiting trial on child pornography charges.
November 30, 2021: Duggar's Trial Date is Set
Josh Duggar's trial on child pornography charges was set for November 30, 2021, after he declined a plea deal.
December 9, 2021: Guilty Verdict on Child Pornography Charges
Josh Duggar was found guilty on all charges of receiving and possessing child pornography on December 9, 2021.
December 14, 2021: Jim Bob Duggar's Political Bid
Jim Bob Duggar, Josh Duggar's father, participated in the Republican primary for Arkansas State Senate District 7 but finished third. This event occurred five days after his son's conviction.
January 20, 2022: Duggar's Legal Team Files for Acquittal
On January 20, 2022, Josh Duggar's legal team filed for acquittal, arguing that the evidence presented at his trial was insufficient for a conviction.
May 17, 2022: Amy King's Open Letter to Anna Duggar
On May 17, 2022, Amy King, Josh Duggar's cousin, published an open letter to Anna Duggar suggesting she consider divorcing Josh following his conviction.
May 24, 2022: Court Denies Duggar's Acquittal Request
The federal district court denied Josh Duggar's request for acquittal on May 24, 2022.
May 25, 2022: Sentencing for Child Pornography Charges
On May 25, 2022, Josh Duggar was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for receiving and possessing child pornography.
June 3, 2022: Duggar Appeals Conviction
On June 3, 2022, Josh Duggar appealed his conviction to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
August 7, 2023: Court Upholds Duggar's Conviction
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Josh Duggar's conviction on August 7, 2023.
September 28, 2023: Court Denies Duggar's Rehearing Requests
Josh Duggar's requests for a rehearing of his appeal were denied by both the three-judge panel and the entire Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on September 28, 2023, ending his appeal attempts.
October 2, 2032: Duggar's Earliest Possible Release Date
Josh Duggar's earliest possible release date from prison is October 2, 2032, after serving a sentence for child pornography charges.