A homeland security agent detailed disturbing allegations in the federal investigation intoJosh Duggarduring a virtual detention hearing for the former19 Kids and Countingstar.
Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerald Faulkner, testifying for the prosecution, alleged Duggar downloaded computer files depicting child sex abuse on May 14, 15 and 16 of 2019.
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.”
According to Faulkner, when homeland security officials raided Duggar’s car dealership and asked to speak with him, without informing him they were investigating child pornography, Duggar “spontaneously” responded, “What is this about? Has someone been downloading child pornography?”
Faulkner alleged that when Duggar was asked point blank about seeing or having child sex abuse material in his possession, he said, “I’d rather not answer that question.”
Faulkner also said Duggar had a program on his computer called “Covenant Eyes,” which the agent described as “accountability software” that monitors and reports objectionable internet use to a partner and is meant to help people with porn addictions. According to Faulkner, the program was registered to Duggar and would send reports to his wife, Anna.
Josh and Anna Duggar.Anna Duggar/Instagram
But according to Faulkner, Covenant Eyes was unable to detect Duggar’s internet usage on the password-protected network he used.
Duggar wasarrested on April 29, and the hearing, which was ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon, will determine whether or not he will be able to leave the Arkansas detention center where he’s being held.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
During Duggar’s arraignment last week, it was ruled that he wouldnot be allowed to live with minorsif released on bail.
Duggar, 33, 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.
RELATED VIDEO: Jinger Duggar Recalls the Moment Brother Josh’s Past Molestation Scandal Was Made Public in 2015
He argued in the motion that he is demonstrably not a flight risk, citing that he has known about his federal investigation since November and that he has no previous criminal convictions.
Josh Duggar.Kris Connor/Getty
The motion further argued that because Duggar is a public figure, it is unreasonable to view him as a flight risk: “Duggar has a widely-recognizable face and has spent the majority of his life in the public spotlight—making any concern that he is a risk of flight all the more unwarranted.”
In May 2015, he apologized for his “wrongdoing” following the release of a 2006 police report that revealed that 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.
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
