Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, was found guilty on all counts by a Wilmington, Delaware jury of two charges of falsifying information on a US government form in order to purchase a firearm and one count of having the firearm in his possession while consuming narcotics. After more than seven days of trial, the jury spent three hours deliberating.
It is the first time in U.S. history that a federal offense has been found against a child of a sitting president. A sentence of up to 25 years in prison is possible.
Biden has publicly said that he would not pardon his son. Hunter’s conviction will test that vow. While Hunter contemplates an appeal, President Biden released a statement expressing his acceptance of the case’s conclusion.
Judge Maryellen Noreika will decide on a penalty for the offenses, which may range from a $250,000 fine to 25 years in jail (the usual punishment is much less). According to the judge, sentencing usually takes place 120 days after a conviction.
The jury was informed during the trial that on October 12, 2018, Hunter purchased a.38-caliber Colt Cobra from a gun shop in Wilmington, Delaware, not far from President Biden’s residence. Hunter completed a form, and he indicated that he did not take illegal drugs.
Key witness Hallie Biden (sister-in-law) testified. She acknowledged using crack cocaine and having an affair with Hunter after his brother Beau’s 2015 death. After discovering a firearm in Hunter’s vehicle, Hallie discarded it in the bin outside a Wilmington supermarket.
According to Zoe Kestan, his ex-girlfriend in 2018, Hunter smoked crack every fifteen minutes. Photographs showing Hunter smoking crack were also shown to the jury. Hunter was also seen weighing cocaine in a video.
According to Donald Trump’s campaign, this was a distraction from the real crimes committed by the Biden family.
The campaign released a statement claiming that the Joe Biden Crime Family’s dirty deeds—including receiving multiple millions of dollars from Russia, China, and Ukraine—have been overshadowed by this trial. The statement concluded by wishing Hunter good luck as he continues to heal and deal with his legal issues.
Hunter will be tried for tax violations in September.
Tax evasion, failing to file and pay taxes, and submitting a false tax return are among the nine allegations against him, which include three felonies and six misdemeanors.