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Josh Duggar could still take a plea deal in his child pornography case but a federal judge would have to sign off, the Post confirmed.
The former “19 Kids and Counting” star had until Oct. 18 to change his not guilty plea and accept an agreement that federal prosecutors offered. After that deadline, Duggar could still take an “open” plea, meaning he could plead guilty but without the benefit of that plea agreement, according to court documents.
A judge, however, could still grant a plea deal if the court finds “exceptionally” good cause to grant it, according to an affidavit signed by the judge on June 19.
Officials with the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Arkansas would not comment on details of that plea agreement, or if Duggar has accepted a plea deal since the Oct. 18 deadline.
Calls to Duggar’s legal team were not returned.
Duggar, 33, was indicted in April 2021 for receiving and possessing child pornography. Prosecutors said the reality TV star allegedly used the internet in May 2019 to download child sexual abuse materials, some of which depicted the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12.
Duggar faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in state prison if convicted of the charges.
Duggar and his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case in August, but the motion was denied by the judge after a hearing on Sept. 27.
A pretrial hearing has been set for Nov. 18 with a trial to start on Nov. 30.
Duggar remains under house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor after the judge allowed the reality TV star to live with family friends LaCount and Maria Reber. The judge also allowed Duggar access to his six children, but only if his wife, Anna, is present.
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