Joseph Duggar’s mugshot was released after being arrested for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl. The former 19 Kids and Counting star’s mugshot was made public by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office after the arrest.
Content Advisory: This article contains sensitive topics, which may be triggering for some audiences.
The newly-released photo shows a bearded Duggar with a solemn expression. The news broke on Wednesday, March 18, that Duggar was charged with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old, and lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older.
According to the jail records viewed by People, Duggar, 31, is listed as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 206 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. According to the records, Duggar was booked in Washington County Detention Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas, at 3:59 p.m. local time.
The former star was arrested due to a connection with an incident that allegedly took place in 2020. According to a statement reported by Page Six, investigators at Bay County were contacted by a detective from the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas, regarding a past sexual abuse.
“The 14-year-old victim participated in a forensic interview, where she disclosed several incidents involving Duggar that occurred during a family vacation in Panama City Beach when she was 9-years-old,” the statement said.
Duggar allegedly would also ask her to sit next to him on a couch before covering them up with a blanket and “grazed her genitals”. Duggar allegedly rubbed his hands on her thighs as well.
Eventually, Duggar apologized for his actions, and the incidents stopped after the apology, before the victim’s father confronted the former star on Tuesday, March 19. Authorities noted that Duggar admitted to his actions.
Now, Duggar is awaiting extradition to Bay County. The former star was first introduced in 2008 with the premiere of their TLC series 19 Kids and Counting. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar’s large family and conservative lifestyle gained many viewers, but there was a darker side within their religious group that was exposed.
One son, Josh Duggar, was arrested in 2021 on charges of child pornography, which caused TLC to eventually cut ties with them.
According to the original reports in 2015, Josh, now 38, molested five girls, two of whom were his sisters, when he was a teenager.
“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably, for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Josh wrote via the family’s Facebook account in 2015. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
In 2021, Josh was arrested on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography. He pleaded not guilty and was later sentenced to 151 months in prison, which he’s currently still serving.
Now, Joseph Duggar is scheduled to appear in court on March 20, per the jail records.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226 or text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.