Josh Duggarwill be allowed to see his six children as he awaits his July trial for allegedly possessing and receiving child pornography.
During avirtual detention hearingon Wednesday at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Judge Christy Comstock ruled that the former19 Kids and Countingstar can bereleasedfrom jail to his designated third party custodians,family friends Lacount and Maria Reber.
Though the judge noted that she “cannot in good conscience” release Duggar to his pregnant wifeAnnaand their children, she granted him “unlimited contact” with the kids, so long as Anna is present.
Aside from his own children, however, Duggar, 33, is not permitted to have contact with any other minors, including his many nieces and nephews.
Josh Duggar in 2015.Kris Connor/Getty Images
“Yes, Your Honor,” he replied.
Josh and Anna Duggars' family; inset: his mugshot.Instagram; Inset: Courtesy Washington county arkansas
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Duggar wasarrested last weekon one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Hepled not guiltythe following day in court.
At his detention hearing, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerald Faulkner detailed the disturbing allegations in the federal investigation into Duggar, alleging that he hadover 200 imagesthat were flagged as child sexual abuse on his computer.
RELATED VIDEO: Josh Duggar Charged with Receiving and Possessing Child Pornography, Pleads Not Guilty
One file, according to Faulkner, depicted child sex abuse involving children ranging from 18 months to 12 years of age. Faulkner described the images as “in the top five of the worst of the worst that I’ve ever had to examine.”
Duggar, the oldest ofJim BobandMichelle Duggar’s 19 kids, has faced various legal battles and controversies over the years.
In May 2015, he apologized for his “wrongdoing” following the release of a 2006 police report that revealed he had been investigated as a teen for inappropriately touching five underage girls. His sistersJill, 29, andJessa, 28, subsequentlystepped forward as two of the victims.
If convicted of the current charges against him, Duggarcould face up to 40 years in prison. His pretrial hearing is set for July 1, while the trial is scheduled to begin on July 6.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go torainn.org.
source: people.com
