Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines 5/24
Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Check out what clicked this week in entertainment.
Josh Duggar was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison on Wednesday in his child pornography case.
Judge Timothy L. Brooks handed down 151 months to Duggar, according to FOX 24.
The "19 Kids and Counting" alum, 34, was found guilty in December by a federal jury in Arkansas on charges related to the receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Duggar has been held at the Washington County Detention Center in his home state ever since.
On Wednesday, a judge vacated the conviction on count two without prejudice with agreement from the prosecution and defense, People magazine reported. Judge Brooks ruled that possession was included in the charge of receipt.
Duggar's legal team maintains his innocence and has said he will appeal.
JOSH DUGGAR SEEN SMILING IN MUGSHOT PHOTO AFTER RECEIVING GUILTY VERDICT IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY TRIAL
A judge previously denied a long shot request on Tuesday by Duggar’s attorneys for a new trial on child pornography charges just hours before the former reality star was set to be sentenced.
Following his guilty verdict in December, Duggar's attorneys released a statement to Fox News Digital at the time, saying they intend to appeal the verdict.
"We appreciate the jury’s lengthy deliberations, we respect the jury’s verdict, and we intend to appeal," defense attorneys Justin Gelfand, Ian Murphy, and Travis Story said in December.
A judge rejected a last-ditch effort from Josh Duggar requesting a new trial ahead of his sentencing on two counts of receiving child pornography and possession of child pornography. (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
U.S. Attorneys in the case held a press conference outside the courthouse after the verdict was announced.
"This case represents a significant milestone for the Western District of Arkansas and our continued efforts to combat child abuse. Those who would say that children who were photographed and videoed in a manner similar to the evidence in this case are not abused and are not victims are clearly wrong. Children who are photographed and videoed in manners such as this are the victims and every time their videos and photos are traded online, uploaded, and downloaded from the internet, they are victimized again," one of the U.S. attorneys said.
Duggar's cousin Amy King tweeted that "justice has been served" following the verdict announcement.
"May the juror’s and Judge Brooks seek healing / counseling from all that was exposed to them," her statement on Twitter began. "May the children grow up with real Godly men as father figures who will guide and protect them. May the people who were once in disbelief have their eyes opened for the first time."
Josh Duggar is pictured with his wife Anna. In December 2021, a jury convicted Josh Duggar, a former reality TV star, of receiving and possessing child pornography. (Kris Connor/Getty Images)
"May the daughters who were abused feel validated," she continued. "You are truly beautiful and worthy of love. May there be intense counseling / healing. May there be wisdom for all those involved on how to move forward. Thank you Jesus. Justice has been served."
JOSH DUGGAR TRIAL: FRIEND CLAIMS DUGGAR CONFESSED TO MOLESTING CHILDREN
Former "19 Kids and Counting" star Josh Duggar was found guilty in December by an Arkansas jury on charges related to the receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography. (Washington County Police Department)
JOSH DUGGAR REQUESTS NEW TRIAL OR ACQUITTAL IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE
Prosecutors were asking the judge to sentence Duggar to the maximum punishment allowed – 20 years for each count – while his legal team asked that the oldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children be handed a five-year stint.
Duggar also faced $250,000 in fines for each count.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Associated Press contributed to this report
Trending
