JOSH Duggar’s dad Jim Bob “warned the family” that the reality star’s arrest was “imminent”.
A source exclusively revealed to The Celeb Report that the Counting On patriarch, 55, told his children on Thursday morning that Josh was going into custody for serious federal charges.
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Josh was arrested on Thursday afternoon following a 2019 Homeland Security raid on his now-shuttered used car dealership.
An insider told The Celeb Report: “Jim Bob told all his kids and their spouses on Thursday morning that Josh would be arrested imminently.
“He asked them all to pray for Josh and Anna, and trust that God would bring them closer together through the tough time.
“He also asked them to not speak publicly about the arrest or any issues with Josh.”
Jim Bob shares 19 children with his wife Michelle, 54, and Josh, 33, is their eldest child.
Josh’s wife Anna is “standing by” the disgraced reality star and has no plans to divorce him.
His arrest comes just six years after claims Josh molested five girls as a teen.
That year, In Touch Weekly uncovered a 33-page Arkansas police report claiming Jim Bob confessed to local authorities that his eldest son fondled young girls while they were asleep in the Duggar family home back in 2002.
The In Touch report also claimed that in 2006, the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline received a tip that there was abuse happening in the Duggar household, and the Springdale Police Department reached out to the family for interviews.
Following the bombshell 2015 report, Josh addressed the allegations, claiming: “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.”
Anna and the Duggar family stood by him through his disturbing sex abuse scandal in 2015.
Josh was never charged with any crime related to the incidents.
His sisters Jill and Jessa came forward as victims in an interview with reporter Megyn Kelly, though they insisted they had forgiven Josh for his sins.
In the fallout, the family’s reality show 19 Kids & Counting was canceled, and Josh was fired from his position at Christian lobbying group the Family Research Council.
He was not included in the family’s later spinoff show, Counting On.
But the scandals didn’t stop there, as another report just three months later claimed Josh was using adultery dating service Ashley Madison.
Josh 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.”
Soon after, porn star Danica Dillon, whose real name is Ashley Johnston, claimed he assaulted her during a sexual encounter.
In a 2020 interview with The Celeb Report, Ashley, 33, described the alleged incident as being so intense “it felt like this guy tried to kill me.”
Josh has always denied the alleged assault.
Anna stood by Josh throughout all the scandals and earlier this month, confirmed that she’s pregnant with their seventh child.
These days, Josh has found it hard to keep a stable job, and currently lives with Anna and his six kids in a warehouse on Jim Bob and Michelle’s Arkansas property, The Celeb Report exclusively reported.
A source said: “There’s no sign of him working and he only leaves when he drives the family out in a blue minivan.
“He pulled the short straw with his living arrangements, too. His brother Joseph and his wife Kendra’s log cabin is picturesque and impressive while Josh’s warehouse doesn’t look like the most welcoming of places.”
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).
