Josh Duggar 'sympathizes' with brother Joseph after his arrest for alleged sexual abuse of a minor

Joseph Duggar's convicted brother Josh has shared that he 'sympathizes' with his sibling just days after his arrest for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. 

The 31-year-old TV personality — who is known for starring on the TLC series 19 Kids And Counting — was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her underwear and genitals.

Josh is currently serving a 12-year sentence for possessing child pornography and previously admitted he was 'deeply saddened' over his younger brother's arrest this week. 

His attorney, Beau Brindley, told People in an article published on Friday that the two Duggar siblings 'have not been particularly close for some time, but their familial bond remains strong.

'Josh sympathizes with the suffering that the public spectacle of criminal accusations creates.'

The former reality star, 38, understands 'the pain of false public accusation himself' and 'has seen how the media sensationalizes his family's private struggles,' Brindley told the outlet. 

Josh 'cannot speak' on whether his younger brother is guilty or innocent over the allegations against him. 

But 'he can say no one deserves to have their lowest moments broadcast for the world for the sake of clicks and online comments.' 

His attorney also told the Daily Mail earlier this week that, 'Josh understands the stigma of being accused. 

'He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.'

The attorney said that the brothers 'are not in frequent communication' but Josh 'hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time.'

Josh is a convicted sex offender who is serving a 12-year prison sentence which began in 2022. His earliest possible release is October 2032. 

Other family members have since spoken out on Duggar's arrest.

His sister Jill uploaded a post to her family blog which she shares with husband Derick Dillard.

'We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill's brother's [Joseph Duggar's] arrest,' the message read.

'We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph's arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.'

They added, 'We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.

'We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.'

Jill and Derick also sent love to his wife Kendra and her four children while praying 'that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.'

His cousin Amy Duggar also recently broke her silence to share she was 'utterly shocked' but 'not surprised' over his arrest in a statement to People on Friday. 

Amy said she is 'sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry' over the allegations and added her 'thoughts are with the victim.'

She further expressed that she is 'not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.'

Amy told the outlet that she has 'worked hard to break cycles in both my extended family and my immediate family.'

Duggar's wife Kendra was also arrested on Friday as her husband faces additional charges after he was accused of sexual activity with a nine-year-old girl. 

The 27-year-old was taken into custody in the state of Arkansas for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor as well as false imprisonment.

She was charged with four counts of child endangerment and four charges of false imprisonment. She was released late on Friday after making her $1,470 bond, and will appear in court on Monday.

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued on Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was not there.

However, according to the Washington County Detention Center, she has since been arrested.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Kendra and Joseph Duggar, but did not immediately hear back.

The pair married in 2017 and are parents to four children.

On Wednesday, Duggar was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a statement from the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Lynn Haven, Florida announced.

An investigator with the Tontitown Police Department in Tontitown, Arkansas reached out to the BCSO 'regarding a report of past sexual abuse.'

An alleged victim, identified as a 14-year-old girl, told law enforcement about a series of inappropriate incidents Duggar was involved in around five years back, police said.

Authorities said the alleged incidents occurred in 2020, when the alleged victim was nine-years-old and on vacation with her family in Panama City Beach, Florida.

The 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ.

Duggar and Kendra's new charges in Arkansas are reportedly not related to his case in the state of Florida.

He is being held in Arkansas as he awaits extradition back to Florida.

Duggar's mugshot was released on Wednesday evening by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The former reality star sported a thick beard, and he gazed forward with a stony expression, which notably contrasted the grinning 2021 mugshot of his brother Josh, which had also been snapped in Washington County.

The alleged victim told investigators that the family had been staying at a home located on Danny Drive at the time of the illegal incidents.

Joseph Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,' BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued.

In another incident, Joseph 'asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, 'rubbing' his hands on her thighs.

'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals.'

Duggar subsequently told the alleged victim he was sorry, and the incidents ceased, according to officials with the BCSO.

The father of the alleged victim confronted Joseph Duggar about what happened on Tuesday, at which time he admitted to his actions to the father and a detective in Tontitown, the BCSO said.

Joseph Duggar was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior - Molestation of a Victim Less Than 12-years-old; and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Conducted By A Person 18 Years or Older.

Duggar's confession to the girl's father and a detective was included in an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which was obtained by People.

BCSO Criminal Investigator Chase Norris had then 'requested the detective and victim's father call the defendant.'

During the phone call, Duggar 'admitted his actions' and confessed that he 'touched the victim over her clothing,' per the affidavit.

At the time, the TV personality had 'admitted his intentions were not pure.'