Derick Dillard Says Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Lied About Child Porn Investigation Into Son Josh
The new Duggar family documentary from Amazon, Shiny Happy People, includes a number of bombshell allegations, including claims from Derick Dillard that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar lied about the child porn investigation into their eldest son Josh. In the four-part Prime Video docuseries, Dillard — who is married to Jill Duggar — addresses what the Duggar parents told them about Josh's case. "We know the family had knowledge that there was a child pornography investigation against Josh, and they had that knowledge on the same day that they made the statement," he stated.
"Yeah, you might have fooled the public, but eventually, if there's something to this, people are gonna realize it," Dillard added. Following the reports of Josh being investigated, a rep for Jim Bob and Michelle released the following statement: "To the best of our knowledge, it's also not true that any member of our family is the target of any investigation of any kind. Living a life in the public's eye has taught us that it is best not to reply to every rumor and piece of 'fake news' that is circulated online. It would be a full-time job if we attempted to do so."
Soon, news media outlets began turning up at the homes of Duggar family members. "I think we were curious to just see how everything unfolded and to get the truth," Jill said of this time in their lives. Dillard later stated that he texted Josh to ask about the allegations he was facing, to which his brother-in-law replied: "'Absolutely not, especially something of that nature.'"
Josh Duggar was taken into custody by sheriffs in Arkansas on April 28, 2021. The following day he was transferred to the custody of U.S. Marshals and formally charged with possession of child pornography. Duggar pleaded "not guilty" to the charges and remained in custody until a bond hearing. Josh was eventually released on bond and had reportedly been staying with a family friend. He was prohibited from having contact with minors. He was reportedly allowed "unlimited contact" with his kids, however, his wife Anna — who gave birth to the couple's seventh child in October 2021 — was required to be present for the visits.
Josh was tried and convicted late last year, with his trial ending on Dec. 9, 2021. He was found guilty of two charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. On May 25, Josh was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Per The Federal Bureau of Prisons, his scheduled release date is August 22, 2032. This means that Josh will spend over a decade in prison at Seagoville Federal Correctional Institution in Texas.