JOSH Duggar made a startling “non-admission” when questioned about alleged child pornography on his personal computer in 2019.
In court on Wednesday, audio from an interview Josh conducted with Homeland Security agents was played.
At the time, after being presented with evidence, Josh told arresting officers: “I’m not going to say anything that’s going to incriminate me. I’m not denying guilt. I’m not saying if I am guilty or not.”
In another audio recording played for the court, Josh Duggar was asked by an agent if he was aware of what peer-to-peer was, according to a Sun reporter at the trial.
Josh admitted he was “familiar” with it and that he knew of something “like a Tor browser.” He claimed in the audio that they would upload “encrypted” stuff for the cars because it was safer.
Duggar then claimed he didn’t know which one was meant and that he was confused.
The agent told him Tor was dark web, while torrents were for peer to peer.
“We had no idea the Tor browser was used in this investigation,” special agent Gerald Faulker said. “Tor makes it difficult to see the IP address.
“The dark web is a known source for child porn. Josh using Tor for car photos makes no sense.
“The dark web is anonymous. The dark web isn’t the best place to sell cars. I never thought to purchase a vehicle on the dark web.”
SEARCH WARRANT
Agent Faulkner explained that after doing some research on the address, he applied for a search warrant for the car lot.
Investigators went to that location on November 8, 2019. When the investigators arrived at the car lot, they were in plainclothes and bullet proof vests.
He explained it’s common practice to not identify the exact reason for investigators to be there, just to explain that they were with Homeland Security.
“The goal is to find devices with peer to peer and child pornography,” he testified. “To put someone behind the computer when the crime’s committed.”
MIRANDA RIGHTS
Later, Agent Faulkner testified that Josh went to a truck with himself and another agent to talk, according to a Sun reporter at the trial.
Inside the truck, Faulkner testified that Duggar asked, “What is this about? Has someone been downloading child pornography?”
Agent Faulkner stressed that they had never told Duggar they were there investigating child sexual assault materials.
It was at that point, according to Agent Faulkner, that: “The sergeant read him his Miranda rights.”
JOSH’S CHARGES
Josh, 33, is on trial the week commencing November 29, 2021, for child pornography charges from his April 2021 arrest.
During opening arguments, the prosecuting attorney said Josh”downloaded” dozens of images of little girls to his work computer.
Prosecution lawyers then detailed how Detective Amber Kalmer reached out to a Homeland Security agent about materials Duggar allegedly downloaded, including a “movie file of 7-9 -year-old females and 65 still images of a 7 to 8-year-old girl that end with her being put in a cage.”
According to The Celeb Report reporter, the opening statement declared: “You’re going to see images of children, some as young as seven. These children are being sexually assaulted, violated, and exploited.”
The prosecution continued on to say that Josh Duggar was downloading child sexual assault materials, both receiving and possessing the material.
“We ask you to hold him accountable,” they requested of the jury.
The TV personality’s trial could last until December 3, and if found guilty, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
