Josh Duggar is asking for a new trial, claiming that federal agents unfairly “stopped” him and prevented him from contacting a lawyer during a hearing at his Arkansas Automobile DealershipThe Post can confirm.
Attorneys for the 34-year-old disgraced star of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting show filed documents on Tuesday appealing Duggar’s federal conviction on child pornography charges. In May, he was sentenced to greater than 12 and a half years in prison.
Court documents obtained by The Post claim that Homeland Security already had Duggar’s car parking zone under surveillance – described as “in the center of nowhere” – and agents were waiting for his arrival in November 2019 to perform a search warrant “when there was no cause [the lot’s] the owner needed to be present.
![Photo of Josh Duggar after his arrest on April 29, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/GettyImages-1232598573-e1672258740449.jpg?w=1024)
Upon arrival, Duggar was allegedly “surrounded by armed agents wearing ballistic vests and without access to a vehicle. [He] attempted to call his attorney only to physically take his phone away and was told his attorney wouldn’t be allowed on the scene,” in keeping with the 34-page file.
The Post contacted Duggar’s lawyers for comment.
Documents show that Duggar was placed in a police automobile with two armed agents.
“This court should find that an inexpensive person in Duggar’s position would feel ‘deprived of freedom to act in any significant way,'” the documents read.
“The federal government also claims that Duggar was not restrained,” the appeal argues. “But restraint is greater than being handcuffed.”
Duggar’s legal team refuted the federal government’s argument that he was told he could leave the scene, saying there was no solution to leave.
“In actual fact, he would should walk along the side of a rural highway to go away a police-dominated environment,” the documentation states.
![Josh Duggar visits](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/GettyImages-477891365.jpg?w=681)
![Josh Duggar holds his daughter during their visit](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/GettyImages-163513528.jpg?w=1024)
Within the new document, Doug again points a finger at former co-worker Caleb Williams.
“Duggar had the correct to provide proof that another person had
motive, ability, and knowledge to commit crimes, and government
claiming that no evidence incriminates Williams is inaccurate and misses the purpose,” the documents read.
Duggar was found guilty of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse photos and videos after a six-day trial in December 2021. He’s serving his sentence at Seagoville, Texas, where he’s reportedly has strict rules that should be followed. A judge denied his request for a new trial in May.