US President Joe Biden’s son found guilty of gun crimes, faces sentence of upto 25 years
Joe Biden’s son Hunter has been found guilty of gun crimes and faces up to 25 years in prison.
The jury found Hunter Biden guilty of federal gun crimes, making him the first child of a sitting US President to be convicted of a crime.
Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, has been found guilty of all three counts of illegal gun possession. The jury convicted Hunter Biden on the first count of lying about drug use when purchasing a firearm.
Hunter Biden faces up to ten years in prison on the first count, five years on the second count, and another ten years on the third count when he is sentenced, according to the Associated Press.
Following Hunter Biden’s conviction, President Joe Biden stated that he will accept the verdict and continue to respect the judicial process while his son considers an appeal. President Biden and his wife Jill said they love their son and are proud of the man he has become.
The 12-member jury in the Hunter Biden case began deliberations on Monday. Hunter Biden was convicted by a federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday.
Hunter Biden is the first child of a current US President to be convicted of a crime.
Hunter Biden had pleaded not guilty to three felony charges alleging that he failed to disclose his use of illegal drugs when purchasing a Colt Cobra.38-caliber revolver and illegally possessing the weapon for 11 days in October 2018.
On Tuesday, the judge did not set a date for Hunter Biden’s sentencing, but stated that it is usually within 120 days.
This means that the sentencing would take place prior to the November 5 US presidential election.
Notably, President Joe Biden will speak later today at a conference hosted by the Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund.
Hunter Biden, the son of US President Joe Biden, was being investigated for possible criminal activity, including tax issues and a gun purchase.
In 2018, Hunter Biden purchased a gun. When purchasing a firearm in the United States, an individual must fill out a form and answer questions, including one about drug use. Hunter Biden allegedly responded “no” to the question about drug use, but he was reportedly using them at the time.
Hunter Biden was charged in September 2023 with three criminal counts stemming from this gun purchase. These charges include lying on a federal form about his drug use and possessing a firearm while a drug user.
Earlier in 2023, Hunter reached a plea agreement to resolve the charges without going to trial. However, the deal fell through, and he was later formally indicted.
Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, the Delaware trial included prosecution testimony from Hunter’s ex-wife, former girlfriend, and sister-in-law, who provided firsthand accounts of his spiraling addiction in the weeks leading up to and following the purchase of the gun in October 2018.
Hunter Biden was found guilty of all three gun crimes on Tuesday.
