Josh Duggar’s sentencing hearing in the Western District of Arkansas Federal Courthouse in Fayetteville resumed at approximately 12:17 p.m. after a recess of less than an hour.
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Josh Duggar’s sentencing hearing in the Western District of Arkansas Federal Courthouse in Fayetteville resumed at approximately 12:17 p.m.
after a recess of less than an hour.
Before the break, Judge Timothy L. Brooks jokingly acknowledged that it takes his court reporter about half an hour to recover after the type of morning session that transpired, during which he addressed multiple defense objections to a presentencing report submitted to the court.
He began the afternoon by addressing Duggar directly, telling him that he would “turn my focus back to you now.” With all objections handled in one way or another, the judge addressed the “two-step framework” in federal sentencing.
First, a sentencing guideline range is calculated by the court, incorporating the prosecution’s requests for enhancements and the defense’s motions for downward variance. The judge noted that the final calculated guideline the court arrives at is “one among many factors” at sentencing. He added that the guidelines are also advisory, not binding.
Step two of the process requires the court to consider “several other sentencing factors,” including the specific defendant and the case itself.
Josh Duggar sentenced to more than 12 years in Federal Prison on child *advertiser censored* charges
Sentencing “should not be a one-size-fits-all approach,” Judge Brooks explained, noting that he would ultimately arrive at an “individualized, custom-tailored” sentence.
He then explained that for the guideline calculations, there are two components: the offense level, and the defendant’s criminal history. The judge also categorized this trial as a “non-hands-on case,” a term that he would repeat throughout the afternoon to differentiate it from cases involving actual physical contact with minors.
Duggar’s offense carries a “base offense level,” and the prosecution requested enhancements for “special offense characteristics” that warranted more severe sentencing. The judge went on to examine five requests for enhancements in-depth:
- A two-level enhancement for downloading illegal material involving prepubescent minors.
- A four-level enhancement for downloading illegal, “sadistic and masochistic” material.
- A five-level enhancement for Duggar’s “pattern of activity.”
- A two-level enhancement because the offense involved a computer.
- A four-level enhancement for the total number of illegal images downloaded.
The judge noted that a downward variance for a defendant’s accepting responsibility for his offenses does not apply in this case, because Duggar’s defense has maintained his innocence.
The second part of the process simply applies a level for the defendant’s prior criminal history. In this case, Duggar qualifies as a category one, receiving zero additional points, because he has no prior criminal convictions.
Adding all of the enhancements to the level of the convicted offense resulted in the level of the crime rising from 22 to 39. The 39 score intersects with the level 1 score for having no priors on a grid that the judge consulted, resulting in a guideline range of 262-327 months. By statute, the maximum allowable in this instance for Duggar’s one charge is 240 months, or 20 years.
The judge also outlined a range of potential fines, as well as some mandatory fees and assessments, and added that Duggar’s term of supervised release after he serves his sentence could range from five years to life.
The judge was meticulous and thorough in explaining all of his responsibilities, making note of his “obligation to look at the totality of facts and circumstances” of Duggar’s offense. He added that this includes incorporating Duggar’s personal history while also being sure to avoid “any unwarranted differences in sentencing” compared to similar defendants.
He then stated his need to do something that the defense has requested multiple times in their pre-sentencing filings: arrive at a sentence that is “sufficient but not greater than necessary” in order to achieve the “purposes and goals” of sentencing.
He continued by noting that the sentence should be “a reflection of several things,” including that it “promotes respect for the law” and “fits the crime.” He added that it should also impart a “deterrent effect,” both specifically to Duggar as well as to the public in general. A need to protect the public was another factor.
The judge also spoke to Duggar and voiced “concerns you might re-offend in the future.”
More at link.