Appeals court upholds Josh Duggar’s conviction for downloading child sex abuse images
Appeals court upholds Josh Duggar’s conviction for downloading child sex abuse images The Seattle Times
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Judge Upholds Josh Duggar’s Conviction for Child Sexual Abuse Images
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Monday upheld Josh Duggar’s conviction for downloading child sexual abuse images, rejecting the former reality television star’s argument that a judge should have suppressed statements he made to investigators during the search that found the images.
Background
A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal by Duggar, whose large family was the focus of TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting.” Duggar was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 12 1/2-year prison sentence.
Federal authorities investigated Duggar after a Little Rock police detective found child sexual abuse material being shared by a computer traced to Duggar. The investigators testified that images depicting the sexual abuse of children, including toddlers, were downloaded in 2019 onto a computer at a car dealership owned by Duggar.
Suppression of Statements
Duggar’s attorneys argued that statements he made to investigators during the search of the dealership should not have been allowed at trial since his attorney wasn’t present. Prosecutors said Duggar asked the agents, “‘What is this all about? Has somebody been downloading child pornography?” and that he declined to say whether he had looked at such material online, comments that were later used as evidence in the trial.
The appeals panel said that although Duggar was read his rights, the agents questioning him made it clear that he wasn’t in custody and was free to leave. The panel also noted that he wasn’t arrested at the end of his questioning.
“To the contrary, he ended the interview on his own and then left the dealership — hardly an option available to someone in custody,” the court ruled.
Disagreement and Options
Justin Gelfand, an attorney for Duggar, said they disagreed with the court’s reasoning and would evaluate all options.
Prior Conviction of Former Employee
The court also dismissed Duggar’s argument that his attorneys should have been able to ask about the prior sex-offense conviction of a former employee of the dealership who had used the same computer. Duggar’s attorneys did not ask the former employee to testify after the judge ruled they could not mention the prior conviction.
The panel ruled that the judge in the case struck the right balance by allowing the former employee to be questioned without bringing up the past conviction. The court also rejected Duggar’s challenge to the qualifications of the analyst who testified that metadata on the former reality star’s iPhone connected him to the crime.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – Upholding Josh Duggar’s conviction for child sexual abuse images contributes to achieving this goal by ensuring justice is served and promoting strong institutions.
- Goal 5: Gender Equality – Protecting children from sexual abuse, as seen in this case, is essential for achieving gender equality and creating a safe environment for all.
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – Combating child sexual abuse contributes to the well-being and mental health of children, ensuring their safety and protection.
Background on Josh Duggar
TLC canceled “19 Kids and Counting” in 2015 following allegations that Duggar had molested four of his sisters and a babysitter years earlier. Authorities began investigating the abuse in 2006 after receiving a tip from a family friend but concluded that the statute of limitations on any possible charges had expired.
Duggar’s parents said after the allegations resurfaced in 2015 that he had confessed to the fondling and apologized privately. Duggar then apologized publicly for unspecified behavior and resigned as a lobbyist for the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group. Months later, he also publicly apologized for cheating on his wife and admitted to having a pornography addiction, for which he then sought treatment.
Author
- ANDREW DeMILLO
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5 as they involve child sexual abuse and the protection of children’s rights. They are also connected to SDG 16 as they involve the criminal justice system and the fair treatment of individuals.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are related to eliminating violence against women, girls, and children, particularly in the form of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of convictions for downloading and sharing child sexual abuse images
- Number of cases involving child sexual abuse material traced to individuals
- Number of successful investigations into child sexual abuse cases
The article mentions the conviction of Josh Duggar for downloading child sexual abuse images. This can be considered an indicator of progress towards the identified targets. Additionally, the article mentions the investigation conducted by federal authorities and the tracing of child sexual abuse material to Duggar’s computer, which can also be used as indicators of progress.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | – Number of convictions for downloading and sharing child sexual abuse images – Number of cases involving child sexual abuse material traced to individuals |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | – Number of convictions for downloading and sharing child sexual abuse images – Number of successful investigations into child sexual abuse cases |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: seattletimes.com
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