Joseph Duggar, one of the stars of the TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, has been arrested on suspicion of sex crimes involving children.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in Florida said that 31-year-old Dugar was arrested on suspicion of sexual conduct with a child and charged with lewd and lascivious conduct.
BCSO said that on March 18, a detective from Tondetown, Arkansas contacted Sheriff’s Office investigators. The detective said a 14-year-old victim filed charges stemming from an encounter with Duggar while on vacation in Panama City Beach.
According to a release from BCSO, the family vacation occurred in 2020 when the victim was 9 years old. The victim claimed that Duggar “repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap” and touched her inappropriately.
“The victim stated that Dugger eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology,” BCSO said. “On March 17, the victim’s father confronted Dugger about the incidents.”
Dugar later reportedly admitted the incidents to the victim’s father and Tontitown detectives,” BCSO added.
Dugar was arrested in Tondetown and will be extradited to Bay County.
“The Tonti Township Police Department is aware of a reported incident that may be of concern to our community,” Tonti Township Police said. “This incident did not occur in Tonti Township. Our officers are assisting the victim, family, and the agency responsible for the case.”
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