Anna Duggar sent husband Josh Duggar a letter slamming the “ridiculousness” of his prison sentence.
“I just can’t even wrap my mind around this system of ours,” the message, obtained by People on Tuesday, May 5, read. “[W]hat purpose does it serve to put a citizen away for that long, especially for a crime that was actually victimless?”
While it’s unclear who originally wrote the message, which was forwarded to Josh by Anna, 37, they called his years-long sentence on child pornography charges “absolutely crazy.” The same person praised Josh as “productive member of society, a business owner, a father, a husband, a taxpayer,” noting that “our society NEEDS these far more desperately than it needs more prisoners.”
Josh was arrested in April 2021 and initially booked at the Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Arkansas at the time stated that Josh received and possessed “material depicting the sexual abuse of children.” He also allegedly “used the internet to download child sexual abuse material,” some of which includes children under the age of 12.
By December of that year, he was convicted on two charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse material after pleading not guilty. Josh was later sentenced to 151 months in prison, which he has been serving at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Seagoville in Texas.
Josh’s initial release date was scheduled for August 2032, but it has since been pushed back three times. Us Weekly confirmed late last month that Josh’s new release date is February 2, 2033.
While behind bars, Josh has repeatedly maintained his innocence and made numerous attempts to appeal his prison sentence. The appeals have been denied by both the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the Supreme Court.
Earlier this year, Josh had started the process to make a third appeal attempt. He appeared in court last month, with new counsel, to ensure that the necessary paperwork had been filed.
Throughout his entire scandal, Josh’s wife, Anna — with whom he shares seven kids — has continued to show support.
“Anna has several family members who have strongly encouraged her to leave Josh,” a source told Us exclusively in April. “It has been very difficult to have those conversations because Anna has always been so supportive of Josh, but the family felt that they had to let her know their thoughts.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
