Anna Duggar on Husband Josh Trial, Prison Sentence: Quotes

Former 19 Kids and Counting star Anna Duggar has rarely made any statements about her husband, Josh Duggar, amid his child pornography trial and prison sentencing. However, what she has said — in the form of cryptic messages and direct quotes — have made it clear that she’s standing by her man.

Anna was right by the disgraced TLC alum’s side as they arrived at the courthouse for Josh’s many trial hearings. Not only that, but Anna even penned a letter to the judge, pleading to give her husband, whom she wed in September 2008, a “fair sentence” rather than a long-term one.

“He is a kind, loving, supportive, and caring father and husband — his primary focus in life,” Anna wrote. “I ask that you consider reuniting us as a family again soon.”

In April 2021, Josh was arrested for possessing and receiving child pornography, to which he pleaded not guilty. That December, the Arkansas native was found guilty of one count of receiving and one count of possessing child pornography. He was sentenced to serve approximately 12.5 years behind bars. During his May 2022 sentencing hearing, however, one count was dropped in Josh’s favor, and his sentence was updated to August 12, 2032, which is slightly more than 10 years, In Touch confirmed in July 2022.

Josh is currently serving time at the Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) in Seagoville, Texas.

While his and Anna’s seven children — Mackynzie, Maryella, Marcus, Mason, Michael, Meredith and Madyson — currently reside in Arkansas, a source exclusively told In Touch that she is considering moving to Texas so that their kids can be closer to Josh.

Apart from their family situation, Anna also made it a point to keep a low profile after her husband’s sentencing, even deleting her Instagram account toward the end of 2022.

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“Anna wants nothing more than to check out and forget everything about this nightmare that Josh has brought upon her and her children,” a separate source exclusively explained to In Touch in October 2022. “She just wants to move on. That’s one of the reasons she’s not on social media anymore. It stresses her out.”

Although fans haven’t heard a peep from Anna in a while, she has publicly commented on Josh and his trial a handful of times.

Scroll through the gallery to read everything Anna has said about Josh.

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‘More to the Story’

Anna broke her silence after her husband’s December 2021 conviction by sharing an Instagram post in February 2022, which simply read, “There is more to the story, Link in bio.”

The link redirected readers to Josh’s motion for acquittal or a new trial. According to paperwork obtained by In Touch, Josh’s attorneys argued that the prosecution failed to present evidence that he “knew that the visual depictions were of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.”

On September 8, 2022, In Touch confirmed that Josh’s counsel filed a third and unopposed motion requesting an extension of time to file their opening brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Josh’s lawyers asked the court for three additional weeks due to the nature of the case.

The extension was granted, and Josh’s team has until November 22, 2022, to file.

Her Letter

In May 2022, Anna wrote a lengthy letter to the judge, pleading for a less harsh jail sentence.

“As his spouse of more than 13 years, thank you for taking the time to allow me to share about the man I know and love,” she wrote. “There, I admired my husband’s diligence in his work and also his perspective — that people are more important than a quick sale. Joshua would often spend hours out of his day chatting with and listening to various homeless people who would pass by on the sidewalk.”

Anna continued, “Joshua is an engaged dad who gladly throws a football with his sons, listens to our daughters play a new song they have learned on the piano, helps answer homework questions or lends a hand sweeping up spilled crackers. He is a kind, loving, supportive, and caring father and husband — his primary focus in life. I ask that you consider reuniting us as a family again soon. I understand the seriousness of this matter, however, I respectfully ask that you take this letter into consideration when determining a fair sentence.”

‘Bestie’

In June 2022, fans believed the former reality TV star hinted at visiting her husband at the Washington County Detention Center in Arkansas when she shared a note via her Instagram Stories.

“Officially 34. [14 years] since I said, ‘YES!’ Road-tripping to visit my bestie,” Anna wrote. “‘Even If’ by MercyMe on repeat. ‘Jesus, I will cling to You, come what may.’ You’ve been faithful. You’ve been good.”