JOSH Duggar “used the dark web” to bypass software that would “report” and “monitor” his internet porn usage to his pregnant wife, Anna.
The disgraced TLC star was granted bail after being charged with two counts of child pornography and spending a week in jail. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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During Wednesday’s hearing where the disturbing details of Josh’s child pornography charges were revealed, it was also revealed that Josh accessed the dark web in order to get a hold of the damning pictures.
Josh admitted he had a TOR browser on his computer which gave him access to the dark web anonymously.
Homeland Security special agent Gerald Faulkner explained how the child pornography could be found on the dark web.
Josh used one of the programs to view porn including rape and child porn, according to the agent.
Faulkner said downloads from a specific file were made which were “in the top five of the worst of the worst that I’ve ever had to examine”.
The specific file has been known to include children as young as 18 months old. Faulkner did not say if Josh downloaded the photos involving an 18-month-old.
Interestingly, Josh’s program was able to avoid detection from the software program Anna and Josh had registered on his computer to curb Josh’s porn addiction.
Back in August 2015, a Gawker report revealed that the father of six had been using the adultery-promoting dating service, Ashley Madison, to be unfaithful to his wife.
Josh, 33, owned up to the scandal at the time and said in a statement: “I have been the biggest hypocrite ever.
“While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the Internet and this has become a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife.”
Now, it was revealed that a software had been installed on Josh’s computers and phones that would alert his pregnant wife on any porn searches, according to authorities.
During their investigation, officials uncovered a program installed called Covenant Eyes, which was registered under Josh and Anna’s name, it was revealed during the hearing.
According to Covenant Eyes’ website, the program is an “accountability software” that is meant to protect users from objectionable content and help monitor the screen activity of those with porn addictions.
The software “periodically captures screenshots,” which are then analyzed by artificial intelligence and sent to a trusted “ally” who can hold the user accountable for their internet usage, the website claims.
However, this program was not able to catch Josh allegedly looking at over 200 pictures of child pornography, as he went through great measures to hide what he was doing, officials claim.
During yesterday’s hearing, the prosecutor said: “Some of those images and videos contained minors under the age of 12 and as young as a toddler. The child pornography was found in the office of Mr. Duggar’s business. A partition was downloaded, another hiding way to obtain the child pornography.
“The lengths he went through to conceal his activity. He was doing it at his business, by a partition, that is supposed to alert his wife, Anna Duggar, if he is looking at things he’s not supposed to. He’s looking at the dark web.”
This new development comes after officials claimed that the alleged child pornography Josh possessed was some of the worst they had ever seen.
Faulkner claimed Josh had one two-minute video on his computer of two underage females and a male who performed sexual acts on the children.
Also allegedly found were 65 images of a female “consistent with child pornography.”
Faulkner said friends and family confirmed Josh had a porn addiction, but added there is “no evidence” Josh was the person who downloaded TOR.
He confirmed that Josh and his pregnant wife Anna drove themselves to the Sheriff’s Office with agents following them so their children wouldn’t see him get arrested.
Despite this, Josh will be released from prison on Thursday with conditions including restricted travel, as he cannot leave Benton, Washington and Madison counties in Arkansas without permission from the court.
He has “unlimited access” to his six children with Anna present, though he is reportedly not allowed to be around minor children, including his siblings, nieces and nephews.
A couple, who have been friends of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar for five to six years, have agreed to allow Josh to live with them.
The friend offers ministry to prisoners, while his wife is a piano teacher.
Josh would stay in an add-on bedroom in the home. The Internet is password protected.
The prosecutor then gave her closing argument, as she said: “[The special agent said] he’s been doing these cases for years and it’s the worst he’s ever seen. Those are the types of images and videos Josh Duggar was looking at.
“The password was a password he used for years for his personal accounts. He is the person behind downloading the child pornography. He admitted he was familiar with programing and referenced the TOR browser.
“We know the child pornography involves the sexual abuse of toddlers and young children. He has a history dating back 20 years that shows his sexual attraction to children and the deviousness of his activity.”
The Celeb Report previously broke Josh was arrested for the federal charges in Washington County last Thursday.
The arrest is related to the 2019 Homeland Security raid on Josh’s now-closed used car dealership in Springdale, Arkansas.
According to the indictment, Josh “knowingly received child pornography” between or about May 14, 2019 and on or about May 16, 2019.
For the second count, Josh “knowingly possessed material that contained images of child pornography,” including “images of minors under the age of 12.”
If convicted, he could receive 20 years in prison with fines up to $250,000 for each count.
Josh pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment on Friday.
Anna, 32, announced she is pregnant with the couple’s seventh child a week before the arrest with a gender reveal video.
The arrest comes after In Touch Weekly uncovered a 33-page Arkansas police report in 2015 claiming Jim Bob confessed to local authorities that his eldest son fondled the breasts and genitals of young girls while they were asleep in the Duggar family home back in 2006.
Following the allegations against him, Josh addressed the claim: “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”
Josh was never charged with any crime related to the incidents.
His younger sisters Jill, 29, and Jessa, 28, came forward as two of the victims in an interview with Megyn Kelly, where they insisted they had forgiven Josh for his sins.
Yesterday, Jill and rebel cousin Amy were present at the hearing.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
