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Facing 20 Years in Prison for Child Pornography, Josh Duggar Pleads With Judge for Mercy

Duggar is asking the judge to “consider this crime within its proper context and consider the person Duggar really is.”

Duggar’s mother, Michelle, asked the judge in a letter she signed with a “heart” as the dotted “i” in her name, to consider reuniting her son with his family “in a timely manner,” citing that he is a compassionate, positive, and upbeat person.

RELATED: ‘We Fear for His Soul’—More Duggar Family Members React to Guilty Verdict

In a letter written this past March, Anna explained to the judge that their family relies on her husband for “financial, emotional, and physical support.” Duggar’s wife also shared that many others depend on her husband as well, saying, “Joshua is a man who frequently volunteers his time, services, and resources, striving to contribute to our community and people in need.”

Anna wrote that “Joshua embodies the quote from Ronald Reagan: ‘There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.’ Joshua is quick to step in and do whatever he can to be a team-builder and help others accomplish their goals without ever needing to receive recognition or praise. Joshua sees the best in people and is willing to walk alongside them to help make their dreams a reality.”

Thanking the judge for considering her request, Anna concluded her letter by saying, “Joshua is surrounded by people who will encourage him to continue to become the best man, father, and employer he can be. 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.”

TLC cancelled their hit reality show Counting On last June after Duggar was charged. The show followed Josh’s siblings as they transitioned into adulthood.

After his conviction in December, Duggar’s sister Joy-Anna and her husband Austin Forsyth posted on social media, “We were able to sit through the trial to hear the evidence for ourselves. We agree with the judicial system’s verdict and we are thankful for the men and women who work tirelessly to protect children and help prevent child sexual abuse material. Our hearts break for all CSAM victims. We are praying for [Josh’s wife] Anna and her children.”

Jeremy and Jinger Vuolo, another of Duggar’s sisters and brother-in-law, also shared their feelings after her brother’s conviction.

“We are saddened for the dishonor this has brought upon Christ’s name,” the married coupled expressed. “Josh claims to be a Christian. When a professing follower of Jesus is exposed as a hypocrite, the response of many will be to challenge the integrity of Jesus himself. They’ll question the legitimacy of a Savior whose so-called followers privately delight in the sins they publicly denounce. This is why the Apostle Paul told religious hypocrites that ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you’ (Romans 2:24). For Josh, we fear for his soul.”

RELATED: Josh Duggar’s Sister and Her Husband Call Verdict ‘Just’; Other Family Members Respond

Duggar’s sister Jessa Seewald released a statement through her husband Josh, saying, “From the moment we learned of this case against Josh we have prayed that God would cause the truth to be made known, no matter what it was, and that the facts would be followed wherever they led.”