Josh after his arrest in 2021
Throughout his life, Josh has been involved, directly or indirectly, with several scandals. While some of these scandals may seem mundane on their own, they show a pattern of lies and deceit. This page is a comprehensive chronology of all the scandals, plus major events in Josh’s life, as they, too, are heavily intertwined. Please note that some of Josh’s scandals involve very sensitive information and may be triggering to some readers, specifically the Molestation Scandal, the Ashley Madison Scandal, and the Federal Arrest Scandal. We have compiled a list of Support Resources globally for those in need of help or are affected by the ongoing cases.
2002
March
Duggar family in 2002
Jim Bob notified police that Josh had touched a female minor's genitals and breasts (Molestation)
2003
March
? - Josh accused by multiple female minors of touching their genitals (Molestation - MS)
17 - Josh started attending the Christian program of hard physical work and counselling (MS)
30 - Josh, Jim Bob and Michelle meet with The Holts for advice (MS)
July
17 - Josh finished the Christian program (MS)
? - Josh 'apologised to victims', and was taken to speak to Arkansas State Trooper Joseph Hutchens (MS)
? - Joseph Hutchens failed to take further action and was later arrested and convicted of child pornography (MS)
2004
? - Joe Smithson Facebook Account started posting (Ashley Madison - AM)
2005
? - Josh stayed with the Holts and confessed further instances of sexual assualt
2006
The Duggar family in 2005
December
7 - Arkansas Dept of Human Services Hotline received two tips about the molestations, one from an anonymous caller, and the other from the studio responsible for Oprah Winfrey's show (MS)
7-8 - Duggars due to appear on Oprah Winfrey show, but this was cancelled after an anonymous tip-off (MS)
7-8 - Dept. of Human Services launched investigation into the accusations (MS)
7-8 - Police report made (MS)
? - Jim Bob refused to produce son for questioning, several lawyers declined taking on the case (MS)
12 - Police interview Jim Bob, Michelle, Josh, and multiple girls (MS)
20 - Statute of Limitations had passed, preventing further action (MS)
2007
August
6 - Trial held - the results remain sealed (MS)
2008
June
23 - Josh proposed to Anna
September
Josh and Anna's wedding
26 - Josh and Anna got married
2009
February
3 - Anna's pregnancy with Mackynzie was announced
October
8 - Mackynzie was born
2010
October
? - Anna's pregnancy with Michael was announced
2011
June
15 - Michael was born
2012
October
17 - Anna's pregnancy with Marcus was announced
2013
February
Josh bringing home flowers for Anna to celebrate Valentine's Day in 2013, within days of creating his first Ashley Madison account
? - Josh created his first account with Ashley Madison (AM)
June
2 - Marcus was born
Josh working with the Family Research Council
14 - Family Research Council announced they hired Josh as Executive Director of Lobbying
?
? - Covenant Eyes installed (FAS) (FAT)
2014
November
? - Anna's pregnancy with Meredith was announced
2015
January
20 - Josh and Anna bought the farm house (Money Moving Scandal - MMS)
March
? - Alleged sex with Danica Dillon (AM)
? - Danica sues Josh (AM)
May
19 - In Touch obtained the police report (MS)
21 - In Touch article released, statements released on the Duggar facebook page, and police report expunged at the request of a victim (MS)
21 - Josh formally resigned from his job with Family Research Council (MS)
22 - TLC issued a statement and removed all episodes of 19KAC from the air, and Mike Huckabee released a statement in support of the Duggars (MS)
Josh's OK Cupid account set up as "Joe Smithson"
24 - Josh and Anna shut down their official website, the preacher Ray Comfort tweeted in support (MS)
27 - Reported that Josh sued the Dept. of Human Services (DHS) 9 months after the 2006 investigation, DHS called at the Duggar house trying to see a minor that they were concerned about. (MS)
30 - Michelle announced that some of the family would be talking with Megyn Kelly (MS)
? - Josh ended his Ashley Madison subscriptions (AM)
June
3 - In Touch reported on the second police report, Megyn Kelly interview with Jim Bob and Michelle aired (MS)
Jessa and Jill being interviewed by Megyn Kelly
5 - Megyn Kelly interview with Jill and Jessa aired, Jill and Jessa outed themselves as victims (MS)
9 - Josh and family were spotted moving out of their home in Maryland (MS)
10 - Josh and Anna cancelled a public appearance, it was reported that the Duggars were under investigation by the DHS for refusing to cooperate on May 27. (MS)
11 - Moonlite Bunny Ranch banned Josh from their premises (MS)
12 - Arkansas police chief accused Duggars of slandering her, June Shannon (from Here Comes Honey Boo Boo) spoke against TLC for not cancelling 19KAC (MS)
16 - Josh and Anna broke social media silence to wish Michael a happy birthday (MS)
26 - Jill and Derick announced that they were moving overseas (MS)
July
15 - Impact Team announced they had hacked Avid Life (and therefore Ashley Madison) (AM)
16 - TLC announced 19KAC was cancelled, Jim Bob and Michelle released statement following the cancellation (MS)
16 - Meredith was born
19 - Meredith's birth was announced
20 - Ashley Madison statements released (AM)
21 - 2500 records published (AM)
August
19 - Amy released statement, and People magazine published 'Duggars now: Life after Scandal' article (MS)
19 - Gawker released article stating Josh had a paid account on Ashley Madison, Avid Life confirmed data was authentic (AM)
20 - Josh released a statement (AM)
21 - Josh's facebook account (Joe Smithson) was discovered (AM)
Josh's facebook page as Joe Smithson during the Ashley Madison Scandal
22 - Matthew McCarthy (DJ) spoke to TMZ after his photo was linked to the sex scandal (AM)
24 - John David flew to Rockford, Illinois (possibly to visit Reformers Unanimous?) (AM)
26 - Danica Dillon spoke out, Duggar family released statement advising that Josh had entered rehab (AM)
September
2 - Anonymous woman had a pregnancy scare after an encounter with Josh (AM)
30 - Anonymous porn star claimed to have had an experience similar to that of Danica Dillon (AM)
October
3 - SNL Sketch (AM)
The farm house Josh and Ann sold in 2019
14 - Report that Josh and Anna had sold their home (AM)
November
18 - Danica Dillon filed lawsuit (AM)
December
Anna in a talking head during the original Counting On specials in 2015
14 - Jill and Jessa Counting On - episode 1 (Jill and Jessa) (MS)
21 - Jill and Jessa Counting On - episode 2 (Anna) (MS)
28 - Jill and Jessa Counting On - episode 3 (Michelle) (MS)
2016
January
5 - Danica Dillon dropped her lawsuit (AM)
23 - Anna released a statement (AM)
February
23 - TLC announced Counting On would be a regular show (MS)
? - ALB Investments purchased the property (Real Estate Scandal - RES)
March
10 - Duggars released statement advising that Josh had left rehab (AM)
May
Josh in a car on his newly opened car lot in May 2016
? - New used car lot opened (Car lot scandal part 1 - CS1)
August
5 - It was reported that Matthew McCarthy was suing Josh (AM)
2017
March
17 - Anna's pregnancy with Mason was announced
April
? - Customer in a stolen car, stole another car from the car lot, and sold his pistol to one of the salespeople (CS1)
May
19 - Jill, Jessa, Jinger and Joy sued In Touch, Springdale AK and Washington County AK, for breach of privacy (MS)
June
6 - Josh joined his sisters' lawsuit (MS)
July
1 - Springdale officials asked the judge to throw out the lawsuit (MS)
10 - Washington County officials filed motion requesting that the charges against current and former employees be dismissed as they are immune under federal law (MS)
24 - Jill, Jessa, Jinger and Joy opposed the request for immunity (MS)
September
Josh's family shortly after Mason's birth
12 - Mason was born
2018
? - Several notices issued regarding the incorrect zoning of the car lot (CS2)
September
? - The fire marshal issued his final 90 day notice (CS2)
November
1 - Washington County planning board and zoning board of adjustments met and discussed Josh's car lot (among other things) (CS2)
2019
March
5 - Western Ridge Financial LLC was registered by Registered Agents Inc. (Money Moving Scandal - MMS)
15 - Farmhouse is listed for sale (MMS)
April
3 - Echols sued Edward Lewis and ALB investments (RES)
10 - ALB Investments notified of the lawsuit (RES)
24 - Soli Deo Gloria (SDG) LLC was registered (MMS)
Anna with Joy and Jill in May 2015
26 - Anna's pregnancy with Maryella was announced
June
11 - Hearing (Josh failed to comply with court's order) (RES)
May
14-16 - Josh knowingly received and possessed child pornography (Federal Arrest Scandal - FAS)
31 - Farmhouse was sold (MMS)
July
25 - Hearing (Josh failed to comply with court's order) (RES)
? - SDG bought house from Jim Bob (MMS)
? - SDG put house on the market, but it never sold (MMS)
September
3 - Hearing (Josh failed to comply with court's order) (RES)
12 - trial set for April 2020 (RES)
13 - Cambridge Arbor LLC was registered (MMS)
November
8 - Raid on Josh's business address (FAS)
12 - Hearing (Josh failed to comply with court's order) (RES)
Josh's family the day after Maryella was born
27 - Maryella was born
December
5 - Hearing (Josh failed to comply with court's order) (RES)
16 - Hearing where Josh failed to appear (RES)
2020
March
23 - Petition to remove Josh's attorney from the case (RES)
April
11 - Josh's attorney, Story, disqualified from the case (RES)
July
11 - Glasgow Drive LLC, Ravenglass North LLC, and Ravenglass South LLC, all registered (MMS)
17 - Lexington Contractors LLC was registered (MMS)
September
10 - Josh failed to appear in court, was ordered to pay attorney's costs, and fees up to $5000 (RES)
30 - Judge issued ruling in Echols' favour (RES)
? - Google listed used car lot as permanently closed (CS1/CS2)
2021
April
Josh's family after the pregnancy announcement for their seventh child
23 - Anna's pregnancy with her seventh child was announced
Josh's arraignment
29 - Josh was arrested by Homeland Security (FAS)
30 - Arraignment trial - Josh pleaded not guilty (FAS)
30 - Jim Bob and Michelle, Jinger and Jeremy, Jill and Derick issues statements (FAS)
May
1- Jessa and Ben issue a statement (FAS)
5 - Bail hearing - Josh granted bail (FAS)
A sketch of Josh at his first court appearance before a federal judge. Artist: John Kushmaul
6 - Josh released on bail placed under the guardianship of family friends (FAS)
8 - Joy and Austin issue statement (FAS)
June
17 - Josh requests trial date to be pushed back to after February 2022 (FAS)
21 - US attorneys partially agree to push court date back, trial likely to be in October 2021 (FAS)
29 - TLC offically cancels Counting On
29 - Josh's trial date officially pushed back to November 30, 2021 (FAS)
July
3 - Jim Bob and Michelle release a statement regarding the cancellation of Counting On (FAS) (Statement)
~16 - Anna's brother David becomes engaged to Hannah, the daughter of Josh's guardians (FAS)
26 - Josh's lawyers filed for the prosecution to provide the defence with all police reports and evidence (FAS)
August
20 - Josh's lawyers filed motion to dismiss the case (FAS)
September
28 - Motion to dismiss the case was denied (FAS)
October
23 - Madyson was born
November
16 - Madyson's birth was announced
18 - Pre-trial hearing (FAS)
19 - Anna's brother David marries Hannah, the daughter of Josh's guardians (FAS)
29 - Pre-trial Evidentiary Hearing (FAS)
30 - Trial begins (Jury Selection) (FAS)
December
6 - Prosecution rests (FAS) (FAT)
8 - Closing arguments (FAS) (FAT)
8 - Jury starts deliberating, recesses overnight. (FAS) (FAT)
GUILTY
9 - DECLARED GUILTY ON BOTH COUNTS (FAS) (FAT)
9 - Taken into custody (FAS) (FAT)
2022
February
15 - Sentencing set for April 5 (FAS) (FAT)
March
24 - Sentencing date delayed to May 25 (FAS) (FAT)
May
11 - Sentencing recommendations submitted by defence and prosecution (FAS) (FAT)
25 - Josh sentenced to 12.5 years (FAS) (FAT)
June
28 - Josh arrives at Seagoville Federal Prison (FAS) (FAT)