Another ‘19 Kids & Counting’ Duggar Couple Arrested for Child Molestation and Endangerment

Key Takeaways

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  Josh Duggar arrested for possessing child sexual abuse material

  “Before the agents tell Joshua Duggar what they're even investigating, he opens his mouth and he asks, what is this about? Has somebody been downloading child pornography? What? It's the kind of question that answers itself, but it doesn't even matter because based off of all of his devices, the evidence is already there.”

• •

  Homeland Security used metadata flags to track downloads

  “Every CSAM picture, screenshot, thumbnail, video is logged with a specific metadata code, and that code is then shared with all the local police stations and all of the Internet service providers. And so if anybody's device downloads or sends out one of those codes, even if they're using a VPN or whatever they try to do, dark web, it usually flags.”

• •

  Josh bypassed monitoring software using Linux and Tor

  “They even bring in people from Covenant's eyes to testify how the operating system only works on Windows, but Joshua went and got Linux to bypass any and all detection that the software could have. The password used was allegedly the same password Josh used for the family's Instagram account.”

• •

  Jim Bob Duggar provided selective and non-credible testimony

  “Jim Bob is also called into court, and his relationship with memory seems to be highly strategic. He largely states that he doesn't remember much. The court even states, 'the court found mister Duggar's selective lapse in memory to be not credible.' He was obviously reluctant to testify against his son.”

• •

  Evidence linked download times to personal text messages

  “Every time Josh would text his wife that he was going to be late from work or that he was being held up somewhere, soon after, his computer would download videos of children. Additionally, through cell tracking towers, the prosecutors were able to prove that Joshua was the only one there at the lot.”

Episode Description

Oprah Winfrey has just flown the Duggar family, in late 2006, from their isolated farm in Arkansas to Chicago. She covers all accommodations for mom, dad, and their litter of (at the time) 17 kids and counting in exchange for an interview.   The Duggars are a well known reality TV family, iconic for their cult-like way of life. They looked like time travelers. A family plucked from the pre-electricity past and dropped in the middle of the big city.   Before they can even start filming, an anonymous email in all caps, lands in one of the producer’s inboxes:   “…YOU NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH… [REDACTED] HAS MOLESTED [REDACTED] WHILE [REDACTED] WERE SLEEPING AND THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN HIDING THIS SECRET FOR A LONG TIME…”   Oprah takes the tip seriously. She cancels their interview and forwards the email straight to the authorities and a child abuse hot line.   The email is later found to be sent by a [redacted] female. And not only that, the sender is right…   At least 3 Duggars have been arrested thus far, in addition to 1 police officer in connection with their case, all relating to crimes against children.         Full show notes available at RottenMangoPodcast.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.